Oxfam Uses Flickr To Advocate for Ethiopian Coffee Famers

Through just one cup of coffee, we are inextricably connected to the livelihoods of millions of people around the world who are struggling to survive.--from the Director's Statement, Black Gold

Oxfam America has joined the movement to give Ethiopian coffee growers a greater percentage of coffee profits:

"Oxfam is calling on coffee industry leaders to sign agreements that recognize Ethiopia’s right to control the use of its coffee ’brand names.’ With these agreements in place, Ethiopians could occupy a stronger negotiating position with foreign buyers, capture a larger share of the value associated with their names, and better protect their brands – regardless of whether the trademarks were granted."

One aspect of the campaign is a Starbucks Flickr petition. Supporters have uploaded photos of themselves with a sign that says, "I support Ethiopian farmers." So far, 186 photos have been posted. My only criticism of the campaign is that very few of the photos have a Creative Commons license that allows bloggers and other supporters to share the photos and spread the word.

For more information about Oxfam's Starbuck's campaign click here.

For more information about Ethiopia's efforts to trademark its coffee names, check out Green LA Girl's posts about Ethiopia vs. Starbucks.

To find out when the documentary Black Gold is playing at a theater near you, click here. It will also have its broadcast premiere on PBS April 10th on Independent Lens.

Cross-posted from the NetSquared blog.
Hat tip to the NTEN Flickr Affinity Group for the story.
Photo Credit: "www.oxfamamerica.org/starbucks" by David Poe.

flickr petition coffee fair trade oxfam