Q: What is Fair Trade?

A: A system where justice and sustainable development are at the heart of trade structures and practices so that everyone, through their work, can maintain a decent and dignified livelihood and develop their full potential. (Fair Trade Foundation, UK)

Q: What is Fair Trade KSC? 

A: A way for KSC to show their support for human rights, the environment and economic justice.  A place of innovation and sharing of sustainability practices and green living ideas.

Q: What is needed to be a Fair Trade Campus? 

A: These 5 guidelines are used by hundreds of universities and colleges throughout Europe.  USA standards are currently being developed and will be similar.

1. The Student Union (or equivalent) and the university or college authorities both create a Fairtrade policy incorporating these five goals.
2. Fairtrade foods are made available for sale in all campus shops. Fairtrade foods are used in all cafés/restaurants/bars on campus. Where this is not possible, there is a commitment to begin to use Fairtrade foods in these establishments as soon as it becomes possible to do so.
3. Fairtrade foods (for example, coffee and tea) are served at all meetings hosted by the university or college and the Student Union (or equivalent), and are served in all university or college and Student Union management offices.
4. There is a commitment to campaign for increased Fairtrade consumption on campus.
5. A Fairtrade Steering Group is established.  (http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/)
   
   

Q: How do we do this?

A: Education - Communication - Example.  Learning is shared with others about what makes Fair Trade fair.  It is communicated broadly and the effects of fair trade participation, setting the example for others, are celebrated.  Fair Trade is inclusive, not exclusive.  There is room for everyone when we begin thinking in terms of sharing and sustainability.  Often following the rule of “Buy local, buy Fair” makes it easier to understand.  We always want to support our own local economies and we should.  The nice thing with Fair Trade, is many products are not locally available: tea, coffee, chocolate, bananas, etc.  So buying those products Fair Trade makes it easy to also support our local economy and fellow humans worldwide.