Research shows that if one in four Aussies made one ethical Christmas purchase through Oxfam, Australia could raise more than $11.5 billion for the fight against poverty. That’s enough to provide clean water to every family in Zambia.
Not bad, considering the latest retail figures predict Australians will spend almost $46 billion on Christmas presents this December, with around 20 million unwanted presents expected to be gifted.
While Christmas is the best time to buy cherished gifts for our loved ones, why not put a smile on more than one person’s face this season and give a gift that gives back?
Oxfam Australia’s Director of Public Engagement Pam Anders said shoppers could choose to make their purchases count by selecting fair and ethically sourced gifts that could help those people living in poverty around the world.
“Fair and ethical trade is so important as it empowers communities by paying them stable prices for their work, helping them gain the skills they need to develop their business, and giving them access to world markets,” Ms Anders said.
“Oxfam has come up with a range of options to help consumers choose gifts that aren’t just stocking fillers – they have the power to change lives.
“While many consumers will go to their favourite clothing brands when it comes to making a purchase this Christmas, Oxfam Australia is also encouraging Australians to find out how ethical these brands are, and take action by asking them to do the right thing and be transparent about where they source their garments from.”
Australians can join the movement towards a more ethical Christmas in three simple ways:
- Gift a goat, a chook or pig by buying an Unwrapped card as a secret Santa gift for that person who has everything. It’s a genuinely good gift guaranteed to bring a smile while raising funds for people living in poverty.
- Do your Christmas shopping at an Oxfam Shop and discover the story behind each of its unique, handmade gifts. Oxfam Shops support 143 fair and ethical producer partners in 47 countries around the world.
- Find out whether our favourite brands are doing the basics when it comes to being ethical by publishing where their clothes are made, and act by asking those falling behind to do better.
Each Christmas, Oxfam Australia also delivers freshly cut, sustainably grown Christmas trees to homes in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide with proceeds raised supporting Oxfam’s work in Australia and around the world. Final Christmas tree orders were collected at the end of November, but the dedicated team of volunteers will be back in 2017.
Last month, Oxfam Australia revealed its Naughty or Nice list, showing which clothing brands are transparent and which ones aren’t.
This is crucial as research states that one in six people globally work in a fashion-related industry and 80 per cent of those in the supply chain are women.
“If a company isn’t transparent about how and where their garments are made, there’s no way to examine whether it’s truly ethical. And some much-loved brands are sadly sitting in the naughty list this Christmas,” Ms Anders said.
Christmas is Oxfam’s busiest season to fundraise for its work in 90 countries around the world, including Australia, to fight poverty and injustice.
Whether it’s responding to an emergency, providing clean water, administering healthcare, empowering women and men with fair wages, improving food security and access to education, fighting for the environment or closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage – Oxfam works with partners and local communities to find practical, innovative ways to help people lift themselves out of poverty.
Australians are an incredibly generous bunch, and buying just one ethical gift for a loved one this Christmas season will make the world of difference to those struggling with poverty across the globe.
