Be a Fairtrade pilgrim to Eternal City this Lent

Millions of people come to Rome every year – 2.2 million went to Papal audiences last year alone. Lent and Easter are particularly important times for people to make a pilgrimage to the Eternal City.

Many would use fair-trade products at home but travelling in a foreign country it’s not so easy. Now there is a solution to that problem.

The Economic Justice Group of the Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) is working group of Unions of Superiors General (USG/USIG).

It’s a group of people from religious congregations based in Rome and also includes Caritas Internationalis.

They’ve just published a booklet “Empowering the poor in the developing world” which contains a rundown of shops in Rome they’ve found selling fair-traded goods.

The guide explains both what religious congregations are doing around the world and how they can make a difference starting with many of their headquarters here in Rome.

But it’s not just for religious. Caritas is encouraging anyone can use it as they head to the Eternal City.

It’s available here for download in English, French, Spanish and Italian.

They’re launching a Lenten appeal to their fellow religious to consider the purchase of some fair-trade products as a concrete expression of solidarity.

Paul Frechette, SM said “Congregations of religious women and men have a tremendous economic power. In using our financial resources for fair-trade purchasing, we participate in the shaping of a just global economy.

“Most of us are overwhelmed by the level of poverty and exclusion in the world. By taking the relatively simple decision to drink or eat a product that guarantees a fair price for a poor person, you are turning the tide against poverty towards a more just and equitable world.”

“Fairtrade” is a growing international trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect that seeks greater equality in international trade for the poor. It contributes to sustainability by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.

The following is a partial listing of Fair Trade (Commercio Equo) stores or groups in and around the Eternal City:

• PANGEA—NIENTE TROPPO:

  Via Arezzo, 6 – 00161 Roma
  Tel./Fax +39 06 44290815
  http://www.commercioequo.org

  This source will even provide free delivery on grocery orders of 200 Euros of more. Maybe you can arrange a joint delivery with other generalates in your neighbourhood.

  For other shops in this organization go to: http://www.romaequa.org

• CITTÀ DELL’ALTRA ECONOMIA:

  Largo Dino Frisullo, in Campo Boario, Testaccio.
  http://www.cittadellaltraeconomia.org
  Tel. +39 06 57289246 or +39 06 57300419
  Open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 – 20:00; Sunday 10:00 – 19:00. Closed Monday

  This complex consists of a supermarket with organic products, a restaurant, bar, other outlets with Fairtrade products and some meeting rooms.

• BOTTEGHE DEL MONDO

  There are several Fairtrade shops throughout the city. For more information, see their web-site: http://www.commercioequo.org

• IL FIORE (PER UN COMMERCIO EQUO E SOLIDALE)

  Via delle Dalie, 11 Ladispoli: 45 minutes by train from Rome (Linea Civitavecchia).
  Tel. +39 06 9913657
  Monday – Saturday, 8:00 to 20:00 (usually closed at lunch time).

• ASSOCIAZIONE EQUAMENTE

  Piazza della Trasfigurazione, 1 (Monteverde) 00151
  Tel: +39 06 5828707
  Open Tuesday-Saturday 9:30-13:00; 16:30-19:30;Sunday 9:30-13:00
  Closed Sunday afternoon and Monday
  http://www.associazionequinoa.it

• BOTTEQUA

  Via A. Serra 77 – 00191 Roma (Corso Francia)
  Tel +39 06 33221125
  Monday 16 – 19.30 T-F 10 -13 and 16 – 19.30
  http://nuke.equovadis.it

• ASSOCIAZIONE QUINOA
  Via della Lungara, 19 (00165 Trastevere)
  Tel. +39 06 68309547
  http://www.associazionequinoa.it

• EQUOCIQUÀ

  Bottega di Borgo Pio (Borgo Pio) Via degli Ombrellai, 2 (00193)
  Tel. +39 06 6896177
  [email protected]
  http://www.equociqua.it

  Bottega Laurentina, Via della Divisione Torino, 51-53 (00143)
  Tel +39 06 5915784

• ASSOCIAZIONE LA TENDA DEI POPOLI

  Via Polinesia, 10 (Ostia Lido, Roma 00121)
  Tel. +39 06 4585462
  http://www.atendadeipopoli.it

• ASSOCIAZIONE LA STRADA—TUTTI GIÙ PER TERRA

  Via C. Caneva, 9 (Tiburtina 00159)
  Tel. +39 340 3460664
  [email protected]

• ASSOCIAZIONE PER UN MONDO SOTTOSOPRA

  Via dei Gonzaga, 34/c (Pisana 00164)
  Tel. +39 06 6032180
  [email protected]

• ASSOCIAZIONE AEQUATERRA

  Via Cavour, 35-39, Frascati (RM)
  Tel. +39 06 94010995