Trade and Sustainability
Tools for the Pursuit of Sustainability from the Ground Up: Fair Trade, Microfinance, Organics, and beyond.
by Paulette L. Stenzel stenzel@msu.edu
Find me on Twitter, too!: http://twitter.com/PauletteStenzel
The photo at the top of this page is from my 2004 visit to the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador.
Welcome to my website about Trade and Sustainability.
Wonderful news! Spartan Global Development Fund – has been selected to receive a 2010 Richard J. Lewis Quality of Excellence Award from the alumni of the Broad College of Business, Michigan State University. The award will be presented to founder and first president Michael Thelen, current President Chaz Bauer, and advisor Paulette Stenzel (author of this website) on September 17, 2010. See below for more information about our group's work with microfinance.
The Lewis Quality Award, established by the Broad Alumni Association Board of Directors in 1995, is an annual recognition of the best quality improvement projects or activities in the Broad School. The awards are made each year to the top projects as ranked by members of a board evaluation committee. Nominations are evaluated on the basis of seven characteristics: innovation, entrepreneurship, teamwork, demonstrated improvement, accomplishment of stated objectives, clarity of communication, and support of the mission and goals of the Broad School.
New postings:
I update the Presentations and Photos pages regularly, so please come back often.
The purpose of this website: This is my way to share my perspectives on trade and sustainability. I have studied the environmental effects of trade agreements and economic development plans for many years. (NAFTA, CAFTA, the GATT, and the Plan Puebla Panama are among my research areas.) That research led me to seek ways to make trade more fair and sustainable. I focus on the Triple Bottom Line (economy, social equity, and environment) and tools such as Fair Trade and microfinance that facilitate the pursuit of the Triple Bottom Line.
Recent research trips:
My most recent research trip was to the Traverse City, Michigan in June 2010 to interview people involved in organics, Fair Trade, and other movements that promote sustainable life. I interviewed Chris Treter of Higher Grounds Coffee, Mimi Wheeler of grocer's daughter chocolate, Angela Mache of Light of Day Organic Teas, and Timothy Young of Foods for Thought. I am grateful for the wonderful information and insights each shared. There are many great people involved in sustainability efforts here in Michigan. Local entrepreneurship is integral to sustainable development.
In November of 2009 I studied Fair Trade in England. I spoke at a Fair Trade conference in Coventry, England and I was a delegate to a Fair Tade Conference at the Said Business School, Oxford University. England is far ahead of the United States in the process of main-streaming Fair Trade.
In October of 2008 I traveled in Ecuador to study Fair Trade and sustainability, focusing on perspectives of indigenous people of the Andes. I also looked at the effects of industrialized agriculture.
In September and October of 2007 I traveled in Nicaragua to study Fair Trade as well as the effects of CAFTA and the Plan Puebla Panama. I gave a presentation on Fair Trade at the Ben Linder House in Managua, I visited with Fair Trade producers throughout the country, and I met with managers at maquiladoras in Managua's free trade zone.
From 1997 to 2006, I traveled to Mexico to lead a study abroad program and study free trade and sustainability. I was introduced to Fair Trade while in Mexico, and it has become one of my passions.
My research leads to my writing, teaching, public speaking, and service. I am advisor to two active student organizations at Michigan State University: The Spartan Global Development Fund (SGDF) and MSU Students for Fair Trade (MSUSFT). SGDF raises funds for microloans for small entrepreneurs in developing areas around the world. SGDF started with 4 loans on July 4, 2009, and as of July 4, 2010 exceeded 172 loans. Please visit the "Fair Trade and Microfinance Papers ... " page to read the SGDF newsletter. It includes useful information about microfinance. MSUSFT members are active in educating MSU students and members of our Lansing area community about Fair Trade, and they organize a "Fair Trade Bash" each spring.
Paulette L. Stenzel
Professor of International Business Law
309 Eppley Center, Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan 48824
Voice mail: (5l7) 353-3l24
Department office: (5l7) 432-3307
Fax: (5l7) 432-1080
Email: stenzel@msu.edu
