Global Exchange - Overview

Overview

Global Exchange has worked to increase public awareness of what it feels are the root causes of injustice, by changing the rules across the globe from a profit-centered global economy to thriving people-centered local economies; from the politics of greed to a living democracy that respects the rights of workers and nature. It works closely alliance with U.S. based and international NGOs (non-governmental organizations). Along with Rainforest Action Network and the Ruckus Society, Global Exchange played a central role in organizing the mass actions against the World Trade Organization (WTO) summit in Seattle in 1999.

It attempts to address a wide range of issues ranging from worker abuse by U.S. companies to the U.S. war in Iraq, to fair trade issues involving the WTO.

Global Exchange gives Reality Tours to various countries of the world with the stated aim of educating the visitor with the realities of living in different cultures. Global Exchange Reality Tours organizes trips to over 30 countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Reality Tours offer experiential educational tours, connecting people to issues, issues to movements, and movements to social change social change. Global Exchange offers legal trips to Cuba for US citizens.

In 2001, Global Exchange began producing the Green Festivals in partnership with Co-Op America, now Green America, across the United States. Green Festivals bring together fair trade merchants, environmentally responsible and otherwise progressive companies to showcase their goods and services to consumers and environmental and social justice leaders from around the world for weekend long events.

The Global Exchange Fair Trade Stores in San Francisco, Berkeley, Washington DC and Arlington VA encourages the principles of socially and economically responsible business by selling products according to Fair Trade Federation standards. Also in 2001, Global Exchange began an annual Human Rights Award gala.

Global Exchange is a 501c(3) and its board of directors includes Walter Turner, Tony Newman, Deborah James, Niki Armacost, Ann Wright, Allen Gunn and Eric Casher.