World Fair Trade Day
Lutheran World Relief is sponsoring World Fair Trade Day on May 12. The theme this year, "Kids Need Fair Trade," emphasizes the need for trade to work for those most disadvantaged by conventional trade. Fair Trade creates economic opportunity and development which enables producers to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

You can participate in many ways. Find out how.

Whole Foods has created a program called "Whole Trade Guarantee". See how they are committed to Fair Trade principles.

May 3, 2007

Sports balls and fair trade?
When we think of fair trade we often only think of coffee, chocolates, and hand crafted gifts. What about sports equipment? Fair Trade Sports, Inc is the first sports equipment company in the US to launch a full line of fair trade sports balls.

Learn more about these sports products and what you can do to help.

Read the issue paper on sustainability that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

April 23, 2007

FTC Releases Report on Video Games
Did you know that unaccompanied children, ages 13-16 were able to purchase an M-rated game 42% of the time, down from 85% in 2000? The lasted Federal Trade Commission report on marketing violent entertainment to children has released their mystery shop data. Read the FTC Report.

The CSR program is in dialogue with Best Buy, Blockbuster, Circuit City, Costco, and Sears around the issue of selling M-rated video games to children. A resolution was filed with Electronic Arts, Inc. and withdrawn due to constructive dialogue.

View the resolution filed with Electronic Arts, Inc.

April 18, 2007

Earth Day
Earth Day is right around the corner and people all over the world will be marking April 22 as a day to make a difference in protecting the Earth's natural resources. A variety of environmental stewardship resources are available for you and your congregation.

• Read the Presiding Bishop's Earth Day message.

• Find out how you can be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

• Learn more about what's planned for Earth Day in your part of the world

• Whether cleaning up or clearing out, learn the what, when, and how for recycling items from A to Z.

April 13, 2007

Timberland Launches Informative Shoe Labels
A nutritional label on shoe boxes? Yes, you read that right. The Timberland Company has developed a way, as part of a broader footwear packaging initiative, to help educate their consumers on how the manufacturing of its product effects the environment and society.

Learn more about what will be included on the labels

Read the issue paper on environmental topics that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

March 2007

Commitment to Change
There is a growing commitment to address global warming among institutions of higher education. Three Lutheran college presidents have signed on to the "American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment," a pledge to eliminate their campuses' greenhouse gas emissions over time.

Read the issue paper on global warming and climate change that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

March 2, 2007

What's in Your Easter Basket?
Looking for something different to give that special someone for Easter this year? How about filling their baskets with items that will have a global impact? There are a variety of options to choose, from giving to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal to purchasing fairly traded chocolates, handcrafts, and food.

A few choices to consider are:

• ELCA World Hunger Appeal

• Lutheran World Relief Chocolate Project

• Global Exchange Fair Trade

• A Greater Gift

March 21, 2007

Order Your Eco-Palms Now!
More than 300 million palm fronds are harvested each year for U.S. consumption alone - most of them for Palm Sunday. As you begin to plan your Lenten plans, consider the Lutheran World Relief program to help ensure the palm harvesters are earning a fair income for their labor, and the palms are being harvested in an environmentally sustainable way by visiting www.lwr.org/palms.

Read the issue paper on sustainability that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

February 20, 2007

Learn More About the Amazing Grace Campaign
Inspired by the soon to be released film Amazing Grace, a social justice campaign has begun to raise awareness to organizations working against modern-day slavery. The Amazing Change Campaign is to generate interest and support to these organizations.

• See the action this campaign is generating.

• RugMark Foundation, a partner in the campaign and to the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program, is working to end illegal child labor.

• Read the issue paper on human rights that governs this area of the work of the ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program.

February 2007

Shareholder Resolutions filed
The ELCA Corporate Social Responsibility program has filed eight (8) shareholder resolutions thus far in the 2006-2007 filing season by the ELCA Board of Pensions.

Costco Wholesale Corporation - Energy Efficiency resolution, withdrawn
CVS - Product Safety resolution
The Hershey Company - Vendor Standards resolution
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. - Adopt Human Rights Policy resolution
Sears Holdings Corporation - Sustainability resolution (withdrawn)
Six Flags, Inc. - Board Diversity resolution
Starwood Hotel and Resorts Worldwide, Inc. - Adopt Human Rights Policy resolution
Walgreens - Product Safety resolution

View these resolutions
View all current resolutions

January 2007

Valentine's Day Alternative Gifts
When we think of Valentine's Day what often comes to mind are visions of flowers, boxes of chocolates, and heart shaped cards. This year, if you are considering such gifts, think where you make these purchases and how they impact others.

• A gift alternative can be made to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal

• Help artisan and farming families earn a better income by purchasing Fair Trade products

• Think green instead of red and give gifts from businesses that support people and the planet

• Choose products that are made sweatshop-free

January 2007

The ELCA, in concert with other faith-based investors, is raising concerns with corporations about the inappropriate marketing of violent video games to youth. Find out more, including what you can do to help.

December 2006

Lives for Sale is a new investigative documentary connecting human migration and sex trafficking. Produced by Maryknoll Productions it will be aired on public television stations nationwide beginning in January 2007. Read the press release on the documentary.

To assist in getting the show seen in your community contact your local public television station www.pbs.org and ask for it to be aired locally.

Read the ELCA's message on Commercial Sexual Exploitation.

December 2006

Holiday gatherings and meal planning continue and so we take a look at turkey farming practices. The Union of Concerned Scientists are encouraging consumers to think about purchasing organic turkeys and those raised without antibiotics.*

ELCA Good Gifts, the Giving Catalog of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, makes it easy and fun to give meaningful, "make a difference" gifts.

In addition you may want to visit Global Exchange's Fair Trade Online Store that offers many options for the conscientious shopper. You can find it all - from chocolate to clothing to jewelry.

December 2006

Youth Gathering event resources...
From the banana republic workshop at Cruzando. Please visit the links below for sweat free resources.
 

"A group of U.S. and Canadian shareholders has asked the company to address its history of violating fair labor laws in the United States and Canada."
- As You Sow Foundation