[MDGs] Fair Trade Principles for Women (Botswana experience)

Investing in Women to promote global partnerships and gender equity. Focusing on MDGs 1 and 3.

Special guest Cecilia Dinio Durkin

Cecilia has been working in Women's Economic Empowerment since living in Botswana, Africa in 2003. In 2006, she returned to the USA to sell their Fair Trade products. The retail and wholesale business she created is Women's Work which has expanded to include items from over 20 countries and now affects thousands of women from around the world. Her expertise in product development while using Fair Trade Principles has various governments sending her to work with women and women-owned businesses to develop handicrafts, marketing materials and branding of products to the US market. Last year her efforts won her a Best Practice Award from the Committee to Teach About the UN. And this year her business has been recognized by the area Chamber of Commerce by receiving the Athena Award and from Hudson Valley Magazine, Best Woman-Owned Business award for her positive impact on the lives of women.