SAN GIOVANNI BATTISTA (Caravaggio)

John the baptist was the subject of eight paintings by the italian artist Caravaggio. Today I want to describe the version dated 1598 preserved in Toledo, Spain. In this painting Caravaggio represents John sitting on a red mantle, who holds a cross with his hand while he's looking at the lamb near him. Around the protagonist there are some vines and thornes to symbolize the wine used in the Last Dinner and also Jesus's passion. The story of John is told in the Gospels, he was the cousin of Jesus, (he baptised him) and his calling was to prepare the way for the Messiah's coming. Before this mission John was an outcast and lived in the desert. So for this reason Caravaggio represents him alone in the desert.

         World Fair Trade Organization

The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), was created in 1989 and is a global association of 324 organizations in over 70 countries. Members are fair trade producer cooperative sand associations, export marketing companies, importers, retailers, national and regional fair trade networks. WFTO's mission is to improve the livelihoods and well being of disadvantaged producers by linking and promoting Fair Trade Organizations, and speaking out for greater justice in world trade.

WFTO activities are:

• Developing the market for fair trade
• Building trust in fair trade
• Speaking out for fair trade
• Providing networking opportunities
• Empowering the regions

In 2004 WFTO launched a fair trade certification scheme and mark. The FTO Mark identifies registered Fair Trade Organizations worldwide and guarantees that standards are being implemented regarding working conditions, wages, child labor and the environment. These standards are verified by self-assessment, mutual reviews and external verification. The FTO Mark is available to all WFTO members who meet the requirements of the WFTO Standards and Monitoring System and so far over 150 organizations have registered. The WFTO operates in five key regions: Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and North America & Pacific Rim.