Bolivian Fair Trade Advocate Appointed Minister of Development

	Antonia Rodriguez. Photo courtesy of WFTO

WFTO congratulates ASARBOLSEM Director Antonia Rodriguez Medrano who was recently appointed by Bolivian President Evo Morales as the new Minister of Productive Development and Plural Economy (Ministra de Desarrollo Productivo y Economia Plural).

Antonia is the founder of Asociación Artesanal Señor de Mayo or ASARBOLSEM, a Fair Trade pioneer and one of the largest Fair Trade organizations in Bolivia. ASARBOLSEM is a grassroots organization that connects groups of organised handcraft producers and provides marketing services for them on Fair Trade terms. They joined WFTO in 1998.

ASARBOLSEM focuses particularly on women, disabled people and street children and, in line with Fair Trade principles, gives them direct management responsibility for production and marketing, ensuring their participation at all levels of the organisation.

Its Board of Directors is composed of representatives of the different producer groups. All funds generated through the sales of crafts are reinvested in the organisation, used for training, technical assistance, social services (education and health programmes), and legal support.

Antonia hailed from the province of Linares de Potosi. As a girl she worked tending domestic animals and as a maid of a local teacher. She moved to the capital La Paz in 1970s and learned handcrafting. Born and raised in poverty, Antonia used her skills to escape poverty and later used her experience to help other people, especially the women, handicapped and street children. Under Antonia’s leadership, ASARBOLSEM was named one of UNDP’s model social enterprises in Latin America.

Colleagues in the movement are very happy with the news of her appointment.

Congratulations Antonia and we wish you can continue making a difference in bringing more markets to Bolivian marginalised producers! Muchas Felicidades a Antonia!