While the December news from around the globe so far makes it more difficult for many Australians to readily prepare for the Christmas season in the way that anyone would like to, the occasion is of great importance for the entire nation, regardless of faith or denomination. Oxfam Australia's "Oxfam calls for an ethical Christmas" media release, published on Thursday, reminds the country that putting some thoughtfulness into our gift-buying this year will make a difference in the lives of fellow humans.
The announcement arrived at a significant time in Australia's political landscape, as the head of Oxfam Australia, Helen Szoke, spoke to the media on Monday about Treasurer Joe Hockey's mid-year budget update, which confirmed the reduction of foreign aid by the largest amount in history: A$3.7 billion over the next four years ($1 billion over the next year). Ms Szoke bluntly stated that the Coalition leadership is treating the aid budget like an "ATM" that Mr Hockey and Prime Minister Tony Abbott hold the PIN for.
On a national scale, the Christmas spirit of generosity and humility seems to have fallen off the priority list. The notion of helping other humans who are vulnerable and in need is not merely a Christian attitude, but one that is supposedly integral to Australia's "mateship" culture. In utter disbelief at Monday's announcement, World Vision Australia's Reverend Tim Costello told the media in relation to the cuts: "This decision by the government shows they are totally out of touch with not only Australian values, but also with what's happening in the world today."
However, regardless of political tensions, Oxfam provided Australians with ethical purchasing options on Thursday in the lead up to Christmas 2014. The organisation's Trading General Manager, Julia Sumner, included details of the worldwide Oxfam fair-trade network: "Our Oxfam Shops support 136 Fair Trade and ethical producer partners in 38 countries around the world, including Australia". Ms Sumner added that the impact of consumers prioritising fair and ethical trade means that desperate communities can live the lives that many Australians consider ordinary—people can attain vocational and educational tools because of the humane prices that Oxfam ensures.
The Cambodian Rajana Bombshell Jewellery business is an example shared in the media release—it was originally set up to support young refugees to achieve financial independence. The resources that Rajana uses to create its jewellery products are obtained from fellow Cambodians who remove landmines as members of an organisation. Rather than representing the horrors of war, the recovered bombshells are shaped into beautiful handcrafted jewellery. Artisan Heang Sopheanith shared his gratitude with Oxfam: "Thank you to all customers that support and buy our products".
Oxfam Australia is not alone in the push for a more ethical Christmas, as the Ethical Consumer magazine included Oxfam in its list of fair retailers that are alternatives to Amazon. Closer to home, celebrity chef Kylie Wong accessed materials from Oxfam Fair Trade product partner, Mai Vietnamese Handicrafts, based in Hanoi, Vietnam, to design a 29-piece table-wear range that is available for the public to buy.