Spreading the Love @ Global Café Direct
Global Cafe Direct might not be besties with Paris and Britney yet, but we reckon that once they try our coffee, they'll be sold.
In any case, who needs celebs??! We still have a lot of great mates who have supported us over the years, and we think they deserve some kudos on our site.
PLAN INTERNATIONAL AUSTRALIA
About Plan
Plan’s vision is of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights and dignity. Plan is a not for profit change agent for the sake of children. We work at the grass roots level in developing world, to empower communities to overcome poverty, so that children have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We encourage children to express their views and be actively involved in improving their communities. Together with our supporters, Plan is a catalyst for change, free from political and religious agendas, existing only for the sake of children.
Working with children, families, communities, corporations, Non Government Organisations and governments in 49 developing countries in Asia, Africa and the Americas, supported by 17 further offices in donor countries, Australia being one of them. With over 70 years of operation, Plan has established a long-standing reputation of being a highly ethical, effectives and committed development organisation.
FTAANZ
The Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand (FTAANZ) Inc is an incorporated, not-for-profit, member based body for all individuals and organisations interested in and supportive of fair trade. Through its members, and a small secretariat, the FTAANZ seeks to increase awareness of fair trade; help facilitate and coordinate fair trade activities; assist producers from developing countries, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, to access Australian and New Zealand markets; and establish a regional organisation to manage Fairtrade certification and labelling.
For a brief overview about the vision and mission of FTAANZ, please visit:
http://www.fairtrade.com.au/files/FTAANZ_Intro.pdf
FORTH DAUGHTER
Leeyong Soo's avante-garde sweat-free label Fourth Daughter was shown exclusively at the Fashion Fights Fair parade in May 2008 in front of a sell-out crowd of Melbourne's top fashionistas. Says Leeyong of the event, "The parade proves it is possible to make a positive environmental and social contribution and be a fashionista at the same time."
Leeyong was Editor at Nippon Vogue for 8 years before moving back to Melbourne to help the Fair Trade movement take off in fashion. "I've always been interested in environmental and ethical issues. I'm also very into fashion so I was looking at a way to tie the two together."
The show in May featured some original garments from Ms Soo's label Fourth Daughter, for which GCD is crawling to get our hands on!! The sexy eveningwear are one-offs sold especially in high-end Sydney boutiques, but if you find her on facebook, you may be able to purchase one of her beautiful designs direct.
Says Leeyong of her ethical designs:
"I make everything myself. I'm the only person sweating. The clothes are all made from vintage kimono and obi material. I pick them apart and make them into evening and party wear."
Sew on, Sister!!! x
Intrepid Travel
Fun, affordable and sustainable travel since 1989. Intrepid Travel over
the past 21 years has maintained its philosophies to offer travellers a
whole new world of adventure travel. Come and explore with us the back
streets of Asia, the wilds of Africa, colourful landscapes in Latin
America, the hidden treasures of Europe and the unique cultures and
scenery of Australasia.
Intrepid have a trip style to suit every traveller! Head off with the
whole family on a family adventure, or take a more relaxed discovery on
a three-star comfort tour, jump on an overland epic journey or just take a
short break to unwind.
For more information on Intrepid Travel visit www.intrepidtravel.com
GECKO'S ADVENTURES
About Gecko’s Adventures
Gecko’s Adventures are about getting to the heart and soul of the country you are visiting. For us, travel is about discovering the authentic side of a country with leaders who are born and bred in the region. It’s about being immersed in local customs and uncovering experiences you may never have found on your own, grassroots style. It’s what we consider ‘real travel’ – we don’t sanitise the destination, we embrace it.
http://www.geckosadventures.com/
We’re responsible travellers on the road…
Respect for local people and the environment are at the heart of all Gecko’s trips. Whether it’s Cancun, Cairo or Cape Town, we aim to minimise our impact on the environment and maximise respectful interaction with the local people and culture. Apart from simply being the right thing to do, we believe that this greatly enhances your travel experience.
http://www.geckosadventures.com/More-Info/Responsible-Travel/Responsible-Travel-On-The-Ground.html
Going local
Travel is all about getting to the heart and soul of the places you visit and discovering what really makes each place tick. Not only is ‘going local’ the best way for you to have a real travel experience, but working with local people and supporting their businesses means that the economic benefit derived from your holiday stays with the communities that you visit.
By staying in small family run hotels and community run campsites, using local transport, and eating in local restaurants, we are supporting the local economy of the region and giving the local people a real benefit from our visit. In as many ways as we can, we support local businesses and communities in our travels – it’s the ethical way.
Local Leaders & Community benefits
One of the main reasons many travellers choose Gecko’s is the fact that we exclusively use tour leaders who were born and raised in the region. They are highly qualified, English-speaking, and their intimate knowledge of their homeland enables them to unlock doors and show you things that other travellers miss out on.
A lot of travel companies talk about ‘responsible travel’, but employ ‘western’ tour leaders. This deprives locals of the full economic benefits of tourism. With Gecko’s, you can travel knowing that the money you spend directly benefits your leader, your leader’s family and the local community. Aside from the benefit to you, the traveller, we are proud to say that by employing locals, we are providing income, training and a career to local people.
The Gecko’s Community Trust
We’ve developed The Gecko’s Community Trust with the assistance of the Charities Aid Foundation Australia to provide funds for local community projects and initiatives that promote responsible and sustainable tourism development in the destinations we operate. The Trust operates on a not-for-profit basis, so every cent that is donated by Gecko’s, our staff or our travellers goes to the nominated projects.
http://www.geckosadventures.com/More-Info/Responsible-Travel/Geckos-Community-Trust.html
Gecko’s International Partnership
We have once again teamed up with Plan International Australia in an effort to contribute directly to local community development. Currently, Plan and Gecko’s share 28 countries of operation and Gecko’s is a financial sponsor of selected Plan projects in many of these countries.
THE EVENTUAL CONTENDERS
We also support:
AUSTRALIAN CERTIFIED ORGANIC
BICYCLE FILM FESTIVAL
LIFELINE
COLDPLAY