Fairtrade Fortnight invites you to ask a question about Fairtrade

Two weeks of events to raise awareness of trade issues - News

Wednesday 27 February 2008
By Naomi Weston

Should a farmer in a developing country have the human right to receive a fair price for the cost of production? This is the subject of a debate to be held at Imperial College London as part of Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from Monday 25 February to Sunday 9 March.

The fortnight aims to raise awareness amongst the College community about what Fairtrade means to both the consumer and the producers. Last year Imperial was officially awarded Fairtrade University status, which involved creating a Fairtrade policy, a steering group and making sure that Fairtrade foods are available in College catering outlets and at meetings.

As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, Imperial College Union Fairtrade Society and Imperial College Model United Nations, will be running a simulation of a UN committee on Monday 3 March. The Head of Policy at ChristianAid, Charles Abugre, will give a talk on the World Bank’s role in freeing up Africa’s markets followed by an open discussion for students and staff according to the United Nations rules. The proposed motion raises the question whether the right to a fair price, that will at least cover the cost of production and facilitate social development, should be a human right.

Other events happening include a Fairtrade wine tasting session on Wednesday 5 March inviting staff and students to sample over 15 different wines and an Ubuntu Cola sampling session, giving staff and students the chance to taste the first Fairtade Cola in the UK, made from Fairtrade sugar from Malawi.

In addition, there will be a free computer gaming session organised by ActionAid and the Imperial Gaming Society on Wednesday 27 February. Fairtrade coffee will be available on the day along with tea, cakes and pastries with all proceeds going to ActionAid who help poor coffee farmers and their families.

The Fairtrade Society who have organised the events at Imperial have launched a new campaign this year called ‘Got a question about Fairtrade?’ The campaign invites the College community to submit any questions they might have surrounding Fairtrade, which will be answered by members of the society, either through the website www.imperialfairtrade.org.uk or through one of the events being held at the College.

Anyone with a question will be entered into a price draw where entrants could win a voucher for 50 hot drinks from any Imperial catering outlet, an Imperial hoodie from the walkway shop, a drinks mixer from Ubuntu Cola or free entry to the wine tasting event taking place later in the week.

Jonas Neubert, a fourth year mechanical engineering undergraduate, is Chair of the Fairtrade Society. He says: “This fortnight we want to enable people to make a conscious decision to buy Fairtrade products and raise awareness of the products and what Fairtrade means. People should be able to make an educated decision whether to buy it or not.”

Fairtrade Fortnight is a UK-wide initiative to promote Fairtrade. For more information and for a full programme including times and venues please see www.imperialfairtrade.org.uk