Written by: Amanda Kloer, selected from humantrafficking.change.org

It's that magical time of year again when children of all ages tuck away their swim suits and flip flops away and get ready to go back to school. And while back-to-school time might mean homework and grumpy teachers, it also means seeing old friends and, of course, gettingnew school supplies. This year, consider making your back-to-school shopping Fair Trade. You'll not only get great school supplies for yourself or your family, you'll also be helping children in communities around the world get an education.

Fair Trade products help artisans around the world earn a living wage, so they can send their children to school and protect them from child labor and trafficking. Buying Fair Trade is also one of the best ways to keep from buying things made by children or slaves. To support Fair Trade with your back-to-school shopping, check out the following suggestions:

Backpacks

Younger students (or older ones who appreciate ironic accessories) will love the Super Duck backpack from Ten Thousand Villages, made by Bangladeshi artisans. For high school and college students,Pristine Planet has a great collection of organic, Fair Trade, eco-friendly, stylish backpacks. And if you want a super hard-core looking bag that will protect your assigned reading material from both surprise downpours and ninja attacks, you need Wannakes' Fair Trade Urban Bag, made of recycled trucks tires. It's intimidating.

Pens and Pencils

Try and slither into class with these awesome Fair Trade snake pens made of colorful, hand-carved wood. Or if you're looking for something a little more glam, check out this bejeweled writing pens from India. They're perfect for anyone who wants to bring a little bling to class. Plus, you can keep all your Fair Trade writing instruments sharp with this adorable turtle pencil sharpener and together in a fun, patterned pencil case made by female artisans in Burma.

Tech Accessories

While a Fair Trade laptop is still only the stuff of dreams, there are some great handmade felt sleeves and funky padded sleeves to help protect your machine on the go. Or store your smart phone or fancy calculator in this beaded phone pouch, made of recycled saris from India. And of course, use that Fair Trade-protected computer or cell phone to read Change.org (in between classes).

Back-to-school may be a magical time full of awesome Fair Trade school supplies, but college and post-graduate students might also be excited to know that Fair Trade vodka is finally available in the U.S., you know, for study breaks. And for everyone else, there's nothing like relaxing at the end of a long day of classes with a nice hot mug of Fair Trade hot chocolate. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a beverage to make while I study.

What are some of your favorite Fair Trade back-to-school items?

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If you liked this article, you can find more like it at fairtradeconference.com. The Fair Trade Futures Conference (FTFC) is hosting the latest Fair Trade news and conference updates. Stop by, get connected and stay tuned in! 

Handmade Expressions will also be writing from the conference and posting on fairtradeconference.com. Let us know, by commenting below, if there is a discussion session you would really like for us to attend and we will do our best to check it out! Here is the FTFC schedule.

Take Care Fairtraders