In May 2011, UBC was named Canada’s first “Fair Trade Campus” as a result of its national leadership on Fair Trade purchasing.
To better understand the community’s purchasing habits and its general appetite and awareness of Fair Trade products, key sustainability organizations across campus like the AMS and Campus Sustainability’s SEEDS program have recently launched a survey to gather information.
Four $25 gift cards to UBC Bookstore will be given away at random to those who complete the survey. Please take the survey before it closes on Monday, November 21, 2011, and share the link widely.
“UBC’s commitment to Fair Trade benefits people in developing countries and provides our students and other large organizations with an important example of institutional global citizenship,” says Andrew Parr, Managing Director, UBC Student Housing and Hospitality Services. “As an institution dedicated to advancing sustainability and intercultural understanding, we are very proud of this recognition of our ethical purchasing initiatives.”
Fair Trade is a trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency, and respect that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in developing nations. Fair Trade organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.