Taiwan Church News

3298 Edition

May 11 - 17, 2015

Headline News

Taiwan Church Press Promotes Fair Trade To Love Our Earth And Pursue Economic Justice

Reported by Chen Yi-hsaun

On May 8, one day before the World Fair Trade Day(every second Saturday ofMay), Taiwan Church Press, the historically centenary publishing house, and Okogreen Company Ltd(since 2007), the first FLO(Fairtrade International)-certified company in Taiwan, held a joint press conference filled with coffee aroma pledging to launch a fair and just cooperation to be friendly to the growers and the customers. In the meantime, through the actions committed to fair trade, Christians were urged to love the only earth we have and pursue the economic justice.

Rev. Fang Lang-ting, President of Taiwan Church Press, expressed Taiwan ChurchPress had been engaged in bringing the lively words to the readers for over one century and half; now, the readers were encouraged to transform these lively words into concrete actions. "As more and more people are used to drinking coffee, we can help a poor farmer in third-world countries if we change our preferred coffee into an FLO-certified one," said Rev. Fang.

Mr Hsu Wen-yen, founder of Okogreen, remarked that the concept of fair tradewas initiated from European churches. "Up to date, still many European churches cherish such ideas of fair trade and support them in actions", said Mr Hsu, "Since we are member of World Trade Organization(WTO) and we continue to consume coffee, let us stand up for fair trade in action!"

Rev. Lin Wei-lien, Secretaray of PCT Church And Society Committee, remindedthat the impacts of fair trade concept could be tantamount to the famous "Butterfly Effects" - a minor movement in each person could result into a huge change. He expected to work with Okogreen in the future, for example helping Urban Rural Missionary(URM) educate the marginalized producers bargaining with their purchasing corporations. "Church should pay more concerns to the suffered", said Rev. Lin.

Mr Chen Jon-yen, Director of City Affairs Bureau of Tainan City Government,gave his affirmation about TCP's faithful engagement in fair trade promotion through selling green coffee. Especially, when more and more world-renown coffee brands penetrating into Taiwan market, he reminded the public be wary about the ecological and agricultural crisis behind these phenomenon.

Lu Wei-yin, Tainan City Council Representative, praised the cooperation of TCP and Okogreen Company Ltd as "A Marriage of Consciousness", because TCP not only introduced modern civilization into Taiwan but carried on caring about Taiwan's democratic process and the marginalized people.

Rev. Hwang Su-wen, Moderator of Tainan Presbytery, and Rev. Chen Yu-jay,member of Church and Society Committee of Tainan Presbytery were also invited to attend to witness this significant ceremony. From this moment on, Okogreen coffee in Tainan bookstore of TCP was available. As to other TCP branches, Okogreen coffee will be open in months later. TCP was also authorized to sell Okogreen coffee within PCT.

To care for the victims of recent Nepal earthquake, the marginalized and thesocial welfare groups, 10 dollars of each cup of Okogreen coffee consumed in TCP bookstores would be donated for the related parties concerned.

Translated by Peter Wolfe