Going shopping isn’t how I would normally encourage people to work for peace. I don’t think encouraging Americans to go shopping after 9/11 was the best way of dealing with that event. Likewise, while I like my T shirts with pithy pro-peace messages, I question their ability bring about meaningful change. However, I make one special exception.

I’ve long been a fan of No Sweat Apparel. Their focus has been to sell apparel made in union shops from around the world. Beyond seeking better working conditions, No Sweat addresses larger issues.

After the Tsunami in Banda Aceh, they sold flip-flops made in Jakarta. They were designed by orphans of the Tsunami and profits from the sale go to support the Schools for Aceh Foundation.

Now, as we see more tension in the Middle East, they are selling “organic union made t-shirts from Bethlehem”. Pax Christi is featuring a T-shirt made in this shop.

In addition, Ideablob, a project of Advanta Bank Corp is offering $10,000 to the best business ideas, and No Sweat is one of the finalists this month. So, if you don’t mind registering on a site run by a credit card company, stop by and vote for No Sweat Apparel.