Tomahawk school is attempting to get in the guiness book of records. Tomahawk school is going through the motions to become the smallest Fair trade school in the world. Listen to this podcast to find out what principal, Richard Aitken is doing to make his school become fair trade and their progress towards being in the Guinness book of records. Two students offer their thoughts on fair trade.
It is a fact that Fairtrade products appeal to a particular set of consumers. I know if I have a choice I will choose a Fairtrade product over one that doesn’t specify, within a student budget of course. What is surprising then is that some companies, and large ones, have chosen to go Fairtrade secretly. Choosing to fulfill all the criteria and go through the certification process with the Fairtrade Labelling Association but choosing not to display it on their packaging. As I learned this week at uni, you could call this deontological ethics (I like big words). All it means is that you do something because you think it is the right thing to do, not because of the consequences, ie not because it fits into your marketing strategy. Café Supreme is one example of this and also Hummingbird coffee. Its kind of cool.
Another secret subscriber to Fairtrade is the Ministry of Education. In their Dunedin offices and right across the country, MofE staffrooms are stocked with Fairtrade tea and coffee – but they don’t want to shout about it either, they’re just quietly getting on with it. Nice work!
Before you ask, this post is not about Castle st. It’s not about burning couches or smashing glass. It’s definitely not about riot police or the banning of car rallies, although you will be hard pressed to find any other stories being told about Otago Uni students at the moment.
So if I’m not going to talk about the events of the weekend, what is this about? Well, Channel 9 has managed to find a different student story. Catching on to the growing awareness of Fairtrade and the campaigns to convert the city and the University to Fairtrade, Channel 9 have interviewed students to see what they think of it all and to find out if they are concerned about where the products they buy come from. Check out the video here.
There are 70 in the UK, 2 in Oz and at least 1 in the US of A.. When will NZ get a Fair Trade Uni? And can Otago be first? I went to talk to John Philipson to ask about his campaign to make Otago a Fair Trade University.
To hear and download this interview, click here.
the clocktower in Spring.. but can it be fair trade?
To hear Adam Philps talk about
his experience in India visiting
a Fair Tradecommunity play the file below.
To play and download the interview from UniTube click here.
Photos taken by Adam Philps. A big Thanks to Adam for his time and participation in this project.
