Fairtrade Fortnight 2011
Friday 25 February 2011
Southampton Solent University - with the Students’ Union - is holding several events to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight (28 February – 13 March).
Students’ Union President, Daniel Prendergast, will experience some of the strain of exploited workers when he emulates the kind of conditions people put up with when there is no Fairtrade policy in place.
The event - on Tuesday, 8 March opposite Campus News, Michael Andrews Building, East Park Terrace, Southampton - will show the positive difference Fairtrade makes.
Special offers on Fairtrade products will be available across campus and there will be a Fairtrade stall at the University’s farmers’ market on Thursday, 3 March.
Staff will be rummaging through the office kitchen cupboards to gauge how much of their food is Fairtrade, before getting a chance to sample Fairtrade teas and snacks.
The University – including the Students’ Union - is renewing its Fairtrade status and has updated its Fairtrade policy, which was signed by Student Union President, Dan Prendergast, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Richard Blackwell.
It outlines the University’s commitment to providing Fairtrade products on campus, using them for internal hospitality, and raising awareness among staff and students through various campaigns.
Hospitality Service Manager, Lindy Jessup, said: “We’ve come a long way since first becoming a Fairtrade University in 2007 and we’re keen to show our continued support for the Fairtrade foundation.”
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9040
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade enables the poorest producers to improve their position and have more control over their lives.