October 99
American Friends Service Committee Peacework Magazine Patrica Watson, Editor Sara Burke, Assistant Editor Pat Farren, Founding Editor
2161 Massachusetts Ave.
Telephone number:
Fax number: pwork@igc.org Peacework has been published monthly since 1972, intended to serve as a source of dependable information to those who strive for peace and justice and are committed to furthering the nonviolent social change necessary to achieve them. Rooted in Quaker values and informed by AFSC experience and initiatives, Peacework offers a forum for organizers, fostering coalition-building and teaching the methods and strategies that work in the global and local community. Peacework seeks to serve as an incubator for social transformation, introducing a younger generation to a deeper analysis of problems and issues, reminding and re-inspiring long-term activists, encouraging the generations to listen to each other, and creating space for the voices of the disenfranchised. Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC. |
Make Your Coffee Stronger! Give your daily cup extra potency; drink fairly traded coffee. The American Friends Service Committee, in partnership with Equal Exchange, offers a simple way to transform a daily ritual into a socially conscious action. Coffee is the second most traded commodity on earth after oil, and is a vital source of revenue for the nations that produce it. Americans alone drink one third of all coffee produced worldwide. While many people benefit from this big business, the farmers who grow the beans often subsist below poverty and in a perpetual cycle of debt. The AFSC and Equal Exchange partnership supports these small farmers. EE offers a fairer market for their coffee, affordable credit, and a trustworthy business partner. Farmers are paid a guaranteed minimum, and benefit when coffee prices rise. Co-ops who work with EE earned twice the going rate when world prices went down. The farmers practice ecologically responsible growing, composting and shade growing organic coffees instead of using harmful pesticides and clearcutting lands. Fair terms and prices allow the farmers to feed, clothe, and educate their families. What You Can Do: . Sell coffee as a fundraiser . Serve fairly traded coffee at fellowship hour . Give gift bags to new members . Use coffee and materials provided to launch discussions on faith and fair trade Want some justice with that coffee? The American Friends Service Committee Coffee Project works by cutting out the middle people who often profit most from the purchase of the beans. Small farmers' coops sell directly to Equal Exchange, which in turn distributes the coffee. The coffee can be purchased in vacuum-packed packages by the case by your organization for use at fellowship hours or fundraising events. Additionally, Equal Exchange contributes to the Latin Ameica Action Program for each box of coffee purchased. This program helps Latin Americans living in their homelands and in New England. LAAP organizes and advocates on behalf of immigrants and educates Latin American Communities on issues of education, leadership, home ownership, and crime. Feel free to contact the NERO office Latin American Action Program at 617/661 6130 with questions or Erbin Crowell at Equal Exchange at 781/830 0303 to order coffee. Mention the AFSC Coffee Project, and educational materials will be included in your shipment. Not only is this coffee fairly traded, it's delicious. Drinking this gratifying beverage is no act of charity; every cup brims with quality and piquancy. Savor each satisfying sip as a commemoration of wise choices, solidarity, and justice. Rescheduled after the hurricane Tuesday, Oct. 12 6:00 - 7:00 Reception and refreshments 7:00 - 9:00 Gathering in the Quaker Meeting House Slide show organized by Glenda, Caitlin, and Jesse Sharing and silence: a time for all of us to remember and rejoice in Pat's life For directions, please call AFSC, 617/661-6130 |
|
|