University of Adelaide awarded Fair Trade status

The University of Adelaide will promote the use of Fairtrade Certified™ products, such as coffee, tea, chocolate and sugar, across all of the University's campuses.
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Bec Taylor at the Fair Trade Expo.
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Tuesday, 14 February 2012

The University of Adelaide has become the state's first Fair Trade University.

The Fair Trade Association of Australia & New Zealand has approved the University's bid to be granted Fair Trade status.

The University will promote the use of Fairtrade Certified™ products, such as coffee, tea, chocolate and sugar, across all of the University's campuses.

By becoming Fair Trade accredited, the University of Adelaide joins a global network of non-government organisations tackling poverty and empowering producers through trade.

Adelaide is only the fifth university in Australia to receive Fair Trade status.

"The example the University of Adelaide has set in becoming a Fair Trade University will challenge other higher education institutions to follow and will make a significant contribution to improving awareness and education about fair trade and the life changing difference it makes for farmers, their families and communities in developing countries," says Fair Trade Communities Coordinator Daniel Mackey.

The University made the decision to become a Fair Trade University at the initial recommendation of students - from the Student Fair Trade Collective and the Adelaide University Union - and of the University's Ecoversity program.

The University's Vice-President (Services and Resources), Paul Duldig, says: "We're very pleased to be recognised as a Fair Trade University. We are committed to ethical and sustainable purchasing and we believe such actions are economically, socially and environmentally responsible.

"This is another example of how the University and students have worked closely together, in this case to achieve outcomes that can make a difference to people's lives the world over."

About Fair Trade

The Fair Trade movement seeks greater equity in international trade. It offers better trading conditions and supports the rights of marginalised small-scale farmers and workers in the developing world. As part of the movement, the Fairtrade Certification system works in partnership with these farmers to provide fairer prices, better terms of trade and additional funds for business and community development such as education, healthcare and environmental sustainability. The FAIRTRADE Mark is your guarantee that a product meets the internationally recognised and independently certified Fairtrade social, economic and environmental standards and offers a powerful way to reduce poverty through your everyday shopping.

For more information visit: www.fairtrade.com.au

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