The Karen hill tribe of Thailand has long created world-renowned silver jewelry. The ethnic motifs and matte finish of the traditional silver often reflect the silversmiths'''' affinity with nature that is skillfully adapted for contemporary lifestyles.
The Karen are able to bring their goods to the international market thanks to a Fair Trade organization that works with more than 60 artisan groups of diverse backgrounds and cultures from all regions of Thailand. They are thus able to generate a fair income for village artisans while keeping alive craft traditions.
Some groups also focus on, or include, people with special needs while others face social, political or environmental difficulties. The rest include village cooperatives, slum projects, and small community workshops. All partners know about and are expected to follow Fair Trade practices and keep to internationally recognized standards of working behavior and responsibility.