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All’s Fair in food and drink: UEL celebrates its new Fairtrade status during Fairtrade Fortnight

Wednesday 2 March 2011

This week sees the start of Fairtrade Fortnight, fourteen days of nationwide events to highlight the work of the Fairtrade Foundation and to encourage people across the UK to continue or to start using Fairtrade products.

The annual event is extremely timely for the University of East London as it has recently been awarded Fairtrade status. A Fairtrade university or college is one that has made a commitment to support and use Fairtrade products, ensuring they are available in as many places as possible and raising awareness of the benefits this brings to producers in developing countries.

The University is also part of the Newham Fairtrade Network, and other activities throughout the fortnight include Fairtrade food and drink special offers in all Stratford campus catering outlets. There will also be a World record attempt for the longest, fairest piece of bunting in the Students’ Union Dome at the Stratford campus. All students and staff are welcome to pop along at anytime during Fairtrade Fortnight and decorate Fairtrade cotton flags to show their support.

The University is also hosting a lecture focusing on Fairtrade cotton. Although Fairtrade cotton has been available for some time, less than one percent of cotton fashion on the high street carries the Fairtrade mark.

Fairtrade cotton guarantees a minimum price as well as investment in social development projects such as water, education and healthcare. Unfair trade rules can prevent cotton farmers in developing countries from escaping poverty.

Barbara Crowther, Director of Policy and Communication at the Fairtrade Foundation, will be discussing the barriers preventing the world’s poorest cotton farmers from making a living and how we can all make a difference.

Sara Kassam, UEL Energy and Environment manager, said: “UEL is incredibly proud to be awarded Fairtrade University status, illustrating our commitment to promoting better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. We’re excited to continue increasing awareness and availability of Fairtrade products across campus with the support of staff and students.”

The Barbara Crowther lecture will take place tomorrow (Thursday 3 March) at 5.30pm in EB.G.08 (Docklands). All are welcome.

For further information, click here or email greenthing@uel.ac.uk

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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