Global Inequalities: Economic Development · Term 3

The Global North and Global South: Contemporary Issues

Students examine contemporary factors contributing to global inequality, such as debt, trade imbalances, and conflict.

About This Topic

Fair Trade and Ethical Consumption examines how the choices we make as consumers in Canada can impact the lives of workers and the environment in other parts of the world. Students explore the difference between 'Free Trade' and 'Fair Trade' and the role of multi-national corporations in the global supply chain. This topic is essential for developing a sense of global citizenship and responsibility.

Students will investigate the working conditions in industries like garment manufacturing and coffee production and the impact of 'fast fashion' on the environment. They will also look at how fair trade certification aims to ensure better wages and safer conditions for workers. This topic comes alive when students can analyze real-world products and participate in collaborative investigations to evaluate the ethics of different companies and brands.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Price of a T-Shirt

In small groups, students break down the cost of a $20 t-shirt. They research how much goes to the worker, the factory owner, the brand, and the retailer, and discuss whether this distribution is 'fair.'

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Gallery Walk: Fair Trade vs. Conventional

Display labels and information from both fair trade and conventional products (e.g., chocolate, coffee). Students use a 'Venn diagram' to compare the benefits and drawbacks of each for the consumer and the producer.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: The Power of the Purse

Students reflect on their own recent purchases. They pair up to discuss how much they know about where those items came from and whether they would be willing to pay more for a product if they knew it was ethically made.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Fair Trade is just a way for companies to charge more money.

What to Teach Instead

While Fair Trade products are often more expensive, the extra money is intended to provide a 'social premium' that goes directly to community projects like schools or clinics. Using a 'social premium' case study can help students see the real-world impact of that extra cost.

Common Misconception

Buying 'local' is always better for the environment than buying Fair Trade.

What to Teach Instead

It depends on the product. Sometimes the energy used to grow something locally in a greenhouse is higher than the energy used to ship it from a warmer climate. A 'life-cycle analysis' can help students understand the complexity of environmental impacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Free Trade and Fair Trade?

Free Trade is an economic policy that reduces barriers like tariffs to encourage trade between countries. Fair Trade is a social movement and certification that focuses on ensuring that producers in developing countries receive a fair price for their goods, work in safe conditions, and use sustainable practices.

Why is 'fast fashion' an ethical issue?

Fast fashion relies on producing large volumes of cheap clothing very quickly. This often leads to low wages and dangerous conditions for workers in developing countries, as well as massive environmental problems from textile waste and the use of toxic dyes.

How can I tell if a product is ethically made?

Look for third-party certifications like the Fairtrade logo, Rainforest Alliance, or B-Corp status. You can also use apps and websites that rate companies based on their labour practices, environmental impact, and transparency.

How can active learning help students understand ethical consumption?

Active learning, such as breaking down the cost of a t-shirt, helps students move beyond 'guilt' and toward 'understanding.' By seeing the actual numbers and the human stories behind the products they buy, they develop the critical thinking skills needed to make more informed and ethical choices as consumers.

Browse curriculum by country

• Americas
• US
• CA
• MX
• CL
• CO
• BR

• Europe
• UK
• IE
• FR
• DE
• ES
• IT
• NL
• PT
• SE

• Asia & Pacific
• IN
• SG
• AU