Abstract: This paper examines fair trade as a community development initiative that
challenges unjust global trading conditions. On a local level, fair trade aims to create a
sustainable livelihood for farmers, to strengthen agricultural cooperatives, and to fund
community-based projects. Fair trade also purports to engender global solidarity
through linking Southern producers and Northern consumers in a concerted effort to
direct the market towards social aims. The paper examines the strengths and weaknesses
of fair trade as a social welfare intervention. Recommendations are provided to
strengthen the fair-trade movement in light of social work values.