ifPeople Presents FairSource Model at Conference on Entrepreneurship and Human Rights
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Business is increasingly recognized in development and academic research as a potential engine for ensuring democracy, peace, and quality of life, yet the policies and actions to promote this development path are often lacking. The Conference on Entrepreneurship and Human Rights (August 1-3) seeks to further the dialog on business and development. ifPeople will present the FairSource model it has developed and the its experience fostering responsible micro-enterprises in Latin America.
Fordham University and Universidad Iberoamericana of Mexico will host a
three day conference bringing together legal experts, business leaders,
researchers, and NGO activists, to explore the common ground between
efforts to extend human rights and policies that encourage business
enterprise. (view conference site)
| Please join Christopher on August 2, 2005 from 3:30-5:30 pm in session TC-308 (a description of the presentation follows). |
ifPeople's co-founder Christopher Johnson will present FairSource for
microenterprise development and sustainable livelihoods through trade
in services: ifPeople's experience in the Southern Cone. |
Presentation Overview
FairSource is a sustainable business model and a standard for trade in services. FairSource extends the principles of Fair Trade to trade in services, incorporating the protection of human and labor rights and the environment into a mutually beneficial relationship for the commercialization of services. The standard codifies a commitment to responsible business practices, long-term relationships, and professional development. FairSource is used at ifPeople for fostering micro-enterprises in the Latin American Southern Cone that are developing information technology (software and services) solutions, yet is designed to be applicable for more general trade in services as well.
ifPeople currently works with seven enterprises in Chile and Argentina, which involves over 20 knowledge workers. ifPeople uses the working relationship to emphasize the importance of socially responsible practices, a living wage, participatory work environments, and long-term engagements. The growth of ifPeople's FairSource services have fueled 25% growth in numbers of staff at the enterprises involved. In addition to a source of quality work, ifPeople has also provided educational experiences and a platform for exchange between companies involved, enabling them to share information about the local challenges to entrepreneurship.
Despite the benefits of engagement under the FairSource model, entrepreneurs face many barriers to creating and maintaining a business in Latin America. Bureaucracy and taxes impose a formidable burden on small enterprises, from the cost and time necessary for the formation of a company to taxes associated with having employees. In addition,information about management, accounting, and legal processes is rarely accessible to entrepreneurs.
