Fair Traders gather in Boston

Boston-area supporters of Fair Trade are gathering on Saturday for break-dancing, soccer and live music -- as well as some serious discussion on how to promote more use of fair-trade products and services in greater Boston.

The international fair trade movement supports development in poor countries by getting consumers to buy goods that were made according to strict fair trade standards. Those include paying workers a living wage in decent conditions, and making sure the products are environmentally friendly. More details on fair trade here.

The Boston event, organized by Fair Trade Boston, is being held from noon to six p.m. at the Artists for Humanity Epicenter at 100 West Second Street, South Boston. Speakers include Jonathan Rosenthal, who has been involved in fair trade for more than 20 years and was a cofounder of Equal Exchange, the most successful fair-trade coffee company to date.

Also speaking will be Diego Brenes, a Costa Rican national who is an executive with Root Capital, a Cambridge-based nonprofit social investment fund that supports fair trade projects in the developingt world; and Omar Mejia, the director of Café Conciencia, an international non-profit organization that works with worker-owned cooperative communities in Guatemala.

But beyond the talk, much of the day looks like fair fun. An ethical fashion show, a silent auction of fair-trade products and short videos on fair trade initiatives will be available all day. And of course, fair trade coffee, brownies and bananas will be on sale.