Staff and students at universities have a reputation for consuming vast quantities of tea and coffee – and of course, chocolate! In 2003, we made the decision to promote social responsibility and demonstrate a commitment to the principles of Fairtrade by selling a selection of Fairtrade products within our university shops.
Fairtrade fortnight: 26 February to 10 March 2012
Each year the University participates in Fairtrade Fortnight with a series of events to promote and publicise Fairtrade. This year the events are:
Fairtrade drinks and snacks: Wednesday 22 February
Fairtrade drinks and snacks will be on sale from the Fairtrade stall at the University Farmers' Market.
Fairtrade Steps: Monday 27 February
At the Guild of Students: create a footprint and make a Fairtrade pledge.
Cadbury Fairtrade chocolate sampling: Tuesday 28 February
Cadbury's will be visiting University Centre for a Fairtrade chocolate sampling session.
Fairtrade debate: Wednesday 29 February
Debate in the Guild of Students: "Do we need Fairtrade?"
Fairtrade Fashion Show: Thursday 1 March 19:30 at the Guild of Students
Oxfam Outreach and People & Planet present the University of Birmingham's Fairtrade Fasion Show; in association with the Buy Right Campaign.
Join us for a night of beautifully, fairly traded and ethically made clothes and accessories, celebrating the best of both British and international labels.
Along with a professionally choreographed catwalk there will be:
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Live music
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Guest speakers
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Craft workshops including knitting & t-shirt printing
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Clothes and accessories stalls including Traidcraft, LUCIA and others.
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Food and drink including a Divine Bar chocolate fountain
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Displays and charities
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Doors open at 18:00 and the show starts at 19:30
Its set to be an exciting and fun night so why not come along?
Tickets are only £5 with all profit from the event going to the Fair Trade Foundation, People and Planet and Oxfam! They are available from 19Gales, the Bratby Bar and Cafe Aroma and online from the Guild of Students. Also see the Fairtrade Fashion Show Facebook event.
What is Fairtrade?
Fairtrade protects the livelihoods of small-scale producers from the developing world. It offers protection for their income against the financial pressures of international trade by guaranteeing them a fair price for their products. Premiums are also paid to the community - which means schools, hospitals and clean water.
To find out more, visit www.fairtrade.org.uk
How do we support Fairtrade?
Fairtrade foods are available for sale in all campus shops and they are used in all cafés, restaurants and bars on campus. Fairtrade products are served at all meetings hosted by the University and the Guild – and in all University and Guild management offices. We are committed to campaigning for increased Fairtrade consumption on campus. Our Fairtrade Steering Group meets regularly to discuss how we can increase sales.
Visit the Chaplaincy and buy something from the Traidcraft stall - open 12 noon till 14:00 Tuesday-Thursday.