Artisan Crafted Handbags
Ruth DeGolia, Founder and Executive Director of Mercado Global, recently participated in the Clinton Global Initiative’s mid-year planning meeting in New York City on May 6th with other selected leaders from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Mercado Global was one of the few nonprofits of its size to participate in CGI this year, exploring strategies to confront global challenges alongside business leaders from companies such as Starbucks and Whole Foods.
“As an organization, we have a breadth of experience and insight to offer our fellow fair trade and for-profit colleagues, especially in building better functioning supply chains while also providing crucial training and financial empowerment tools to artisans,” says DeGolia.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Mercado Global to not only share with the international development community the great opportunity for market access that lies in more ambitious retail partnerships with major companies, but to also spread our message of more responsible sourcing within the business community."
Mercado Global was recently granted membership into CGI for its unique market-based approach to development and its focus on girls and women in impoverished communities in rural Guatemala.
DeGolia will represent Mercado Global in the year-long effort to forge innovative solutions and Commitments to Action for the world's most pressing issues, including “Scaling Fair Trade For All,” an initiative to broaden the positive impact that fair trade organizations and businesses have on their partner artisans, farmers, cooperative members and communities they work in.
Former President Bill Clinton also spoke at the mid-year planning meeting, announcing the launch of CGI Latin America.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Craig Ruttle
