Fairtrade & Ethics

Fairtrade guarantees a better deal for farmers and producers by paying them a fair price for their labour and goods.  Fairtrade is monitored the world over by the Fairtrade Foundation, which sets standards which must be met to guarantee the quality of the product and the quality of treatment of the producers.  As well as ensuring the fair wages of those involved in the production of the goods, the extra revenue also goes towards improvement projects in the local communities, including wells and schools.  Fairtrade goods are easily recognisable by carrying the fairtrade mark, allowing consumers to buy with confidence that the little extra they pay is going a long way to improving the lives of some of the worlds most impoverished. At this moment in time the University of Stirling is not a FairtradeUniversity.

 Although the Student Union has passed several motions in regard to fair trade activity from both internal and University perspectives (Link to motions). In order for the Student Union and the University to be achieve Fair Trade Accreditation we must comply with five goals which are laid down and assessed by the fairtrade foundation UK.  These include having a policy on fairtrade and the establishment and support of a steering group to oversee the implementation of these policies.

It also means that fairtrade options are made available at all catered meetings, with both the University and Students’ Union taking the decision to offer exclusively fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar at it’s meetings.  It also means constant promotion and publicity of the availability of fairtrade goods on campus and of the standards the fairtrade mark represents.  Finally achieving accreditation means that fairtrade goods are available at Studo, Longbar, Underground, and the Union Shop. We already comply with many of the above goals by offering many fairtrade goods we just need formalise the process and work with the University to achieve accreditation. If you want to find out how you can get involved and move this campaign (Link)