Nasser Abufarha To Speak In Portland

Nasser Abufarha, Palestinian-American scholar and social entrepreneur, is the founder of the Palestine Fair Trade Association and Canaan Fair Trade, which is bringing Palestinian olive oil and other traditional foods to mainstream American and European markets, while also improving economic conditions for more than 1700 farmers in the West Bank.

"Fair trade isn't just about the price," Abufarha says, though he acknowledges that the increase in income has been vital to many farmers in Palestine. "We have given farmers hope. An economic exchange that recognizes Palestinian famers' rights and respects the value of their connection to their land, after years of marginalization under Israeli occupation, is a major accomplishment". Canaan Fair Trade today is the largest exporter of certified fair trade and organic Palestinian olive oil to America and Europe. The company ships to over 15 countries. "Palestine may not be in the atlas," Abufarha says, "But we have put it on the shelves."

Come hear this Palestinian success story. Three events:

Wednesday, January 19, 7pm
George Fox University, Center for Peace and Justice, Room 105
Newberg, OR.
Contact: Melanie Newell, 503-554-2686

Thursday, Jan. 20, 5:00 - 6:00 pm, informal talk at 5:30pm:
Banyan Tree Portland
18 SW 1st Avenue, Portland, OR 97204
(in the Mercy Corps building, street parking)

Thursday, Jan. 20, 7:00 - 8:30 pm:
Equal Exchange Office
1033 SE Main, Portland, OR 97214
(park behind building at SE Salmon/11th or street)

Admission is free to all events.

Fair trade olive oil tasting and sales at events. Equal Exchange will provide fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate for the evening presentation.

Nasser will be on KBOO twice, on Friday, January 14 at around 9:30 am on Voices of the Middle East with host Goudarz Eghtedari speaking on fair trade in Palestine, and on Thursday, January 20 at 9:30 am on Fight the Empire with host Per Fagereng, talking about his recent book, The Making of a Human Bomb, which focuses on landscapes, the environment and violence.

Sponsors: Equal Exchange, Friends of Sabeel- North America, Banyan Tree Portland, First Unitarian Church, Lutherans for Justice in the Holy Land - a ministry of Central Lutheran Church, Global Exchange Portland

Information: 360-980-2580 or sales@canaanfairtrade.com
www.canaanusa.com