Max Havelaar Foundation

The Max Havelaar Foundation was founded in 1992 by the Swiss aid organizations: Brot für alle, Caritas, Fastenopfer, HEKS, Helvetas and Swissaid. It is a non-profit organization and has been self-financing since 2001.

Explanation about the Name

Max Havelaar (1860) is the title of one of the most important books in Dutch literature written under a pseudonym: Multatuli. This book is one of the most important anti-imperialist books ever written; it changed the perception of the Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia. The last three pages of the book are a powerful indictment of the Dutch colononial enterprise. Currently (2006) it is read in post-colonial studies as one of eponymous books to counter colonialism and to understand what the colonized experienced, i.e., the colonial experience as not only one positive for the colonizer, but also about the colonized. This book has been translated in 40+ languages, and for decades in The Netherlands this book was synonymous with anti-imperialism or anti-colonialism.

The Foundation's headquarters are in Basel

The Foundation awards a quality label to products that have been produced according to principles of fair trade. Through fair trade, it contributes to improving the living and working conditions of small farmers and agricultural workers in disadvantaged regions. The Max Havelaar Foundation is a member of the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO) and complies with their international fair trade standards.

Some of the Foundations strategic guidelines

• The Max Havelaar Foundation (Switzerland) fosters fair trade for products from economically disadvantaged regions in the southern hemisphere under conditions that ensure the livelihood of the local population. These products are cultivated according to ecological principles and increasingly follow organic farming methods.
• In Switzerland, the Max Havelaar Foundation awards a Fairtrade Label to all products from the southern hemisphere that have complied with Fairtrade Labelling Organizations (FLO) product-specific standards. To protect the credibility of its label, the Max Havelaar Foundation plays an active role in the development and definition of product standards by the FLO at a high level. Where necessary, the Max Havelaar Foundation specifies additional standards for its label in Switzerland.
• The Max Havelaar Foundation takes advantage of the market dynamics surrounding fair trade to expand the market share of the products bearing the Max Havelaar Fairtrade Label.
• By raising awareness in regard to the objectives of fair trade, the Max Havelaar Foundation aims to persuade consumers to buy products that carry the Max Havelaar Fairtrade Label.
• Together with the other national FLO members, the Max Havelaar Foundation is committed to strengthening the significance, market share and quality of fair trade at an international level. At the same time, the Max Havelaar Foundation also plays an active role in the establishment and ongoing development of FLO structures.
• Given its specific knowledge and experience of fair trade, the Max Havelaar Foundation actively participates in the discussion of development policy issues pertaining to world trade affairs. With this in mind, it aims to shift the balance in global trade regulations gradually in favor of those who are economically disadvantaged. ^[1]

Notes

1. ^ Max Havelaar Foundation Website Home Page Last Accessed 21st June 2007

Link back to Fairtrade Labelling Organisations (FLO)