Member Article

Durham University awarded Fairtrade status

The efforts of students and staff at Durham University to increase equality of international trade have been rewarded, with the University gaining official Fairtrade status. The student union and the university authorities are working together, through a central Fairtrade Steering Group, to ensure fair trade goods, such as clothing, food and drink are stocked in all campus shops, served at all official meetings and their increased use is campaigned for throughout the campus.

Alex Duncan, Durham Student Union president, said: “Students have been behind the push to make Durham a Fairtrade university from the start. The great thing about this accreditation is that each year we will have new and more stringent targets to meet which will ensure the momentum continues. Durham graduates, such as Richard Adams, who founded Gateshead-based Traidcraft and George Alagiah, patron of the Fairtrade Foundation, are a diverse group with a strong sense of social responsibility and have been involved in ethical projects for many years.”

By offering producers in poor countries a fair price, Fairtrade is able to support a sustainable way of living by ensuring the costs of production are covered and offer increased security through long-term contracts. They are also able to provide knowledge and skills to help people develop their businesses and increase their sales. A number of Fairtrade events are taking place this week in Durham including a Fair Trade Market Day on 9 March. Durham University is celebrating its accreditation with staff, students and members of Durham City at an event today showcasing what Fairtrade offers.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .