L'aventure du commerce équitable - Frans Roozen

Nico Roozen and Frans van der Hoff are the inventors of one of the most remarkable new initiatives in today's world economy. This is their story and that of the development of fair trade and how it has and will continue to relieve suffering and significantly improve the living conditions of third world countries.

In 1986 at the Utrecht train station in Holland, the two men meet and elaborate the general principles of their idea. With regard to underdeveloped countries, rich countries must replace the principle of charity by that of a fair and profitable commercial exchange intended to protect small producers. The Max Havelaar concept (named after a literary hero) was born:
-Producers are guaranteed a stable buying price over several years so they will be protected from the fluctuations of the market.
-Raw materials are sold to large distribution companies.
-Products are sold to the general public at a 10 to 15% higher price than other similar products.

Today 700 000 families of small producers of coffee beans, tea and cacao, making a total of five million people, benefit from the fair trade system in thirty-four different countries around the world. To achieve this remarkable result, Nico and Frans had to fight prejudice and the suspicion of the market regarding local industrial Mafias.

Frans van der Hoff is one of fifteen children in a family of Catholic farmers. As a priest, then a missionary, he became aware of the precarious situation of the small coffee producers of Chile and Mexico.

Nico Roozen comes from a wealthy, conservative family. Trained as an economist, he was in charge of selling the fair trade idea to the big distribution companies.

Nico Roozen est issu d'une famille fortunée et conservatrice. Economiste de formation, il va réussir à convaincre les grands distributeurs.

Frans Van der Hoff est issu d'une famille de fermiers catholiques de 15 enfants. Il devient prêtre, missionnaire et prend conscience de la situation des producteurs de café au Chili et au Mexique.