La Trobe celebrates Fairtrade Fortnight
13 May 2011
For two weeks every May advocates of Fair Trade in Australia and New Zealand get together to show their support through a range of events and activities. Fair Trade is an ethical and sustainable alternative trading system which helps to lift communities out of poverty.
La Trobe University is proud to be a part of Fair Trade Fortnight this year. La Trobe is only the 3rd University in Australia to be a registered Fair Trade University; our accreditation was awarded in March 2010.
These two weeks in May (7th -21st) are an opportunity for the University to highlight its commitment to Fair Trade. This year there are many ways in which staff and students at La Trobe are able to get involved and show their support:
On Wednesday, 18th May, the PHD (Peace, Harmony and Dignity student group) will be running their Fair Trade gift stall. Items are produced by women’s cooperatives in Nepal, helping to provide much needed income and opportunity to these impoverished communities. The stall is located in the Agora on the Melbourne Campus, outside the Coop Bookshop and will be set up from 9.00-3.30 on the next two Wednesdays and every Wednesday during semester.
In February this year the University hosted Geoff Tudhope, who is the CEO of Café Direct UK, a Fairtrade Coffee producer. Geoff recorded a podcast during his visit in which he discussed the origins of Café Direct and his thoughts on the importance of Fair Trade as an alternative trading system. His podcast is available to download free from www.latrobe.edu.au/sustainability
On Monday, 16th May, the University will be hosting Senarath Yatigammana, General Manager of BIO Foods, a Fair Trade tea producer based in Sri Lanka. Staff and students are invited to attend a Fair Trade panel discussion which will be part of this visit, to be held at 4.00 pm in the Nancy Millis Room, Union Building. Seating is limited for this event, so bookings are essential. For more information about the session or to book at place, please contact James Ayers, Sustainability Communications Officer on ext 5614 or email j.ayers@latrobe.edu.au
Enthusiasm for Fair Trade here at La Trobe is in evidence not just amongst our staff and students but also through our retailers, many of whom have embraced Fair Trade. The University is now fortunate to have a whole range of cafes that offer Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate. If you have never tried Fair Trade, this fortnight is the time to do so. During the next two weeks why don’t you call into any one of the following cafes and ask for a Fair Trade coffee.
For more on La Trobe's Fair Trade accreditation please visit our sustainability site
Albury Wodonga Campus
• Plan B, Albury Wodonga Campus
Bendigo Campus
• Food for Thought café, Bendigo
• Sweeneys, Bendigo Campus
Melbourne Campus
• Bake ‘n Bean, The Agora,
• Caffeine, The Agora,
• Charlies, The Agora
• Eagle Bar, Union Building
• Eat @ Menzies, Menzies College
• Lifeskills, The Agora
• Subway, Student Hub, Melbourne Campus
Contact:
Phone:
