The University of Glamorgan has been a Fairtrade University since 2007. Fairtrade products are available at all our catering outlets and are the priority product in our internal catering. Fairtrade is also included in the University’s procurement policy.

Did you know that Wales is the first Fairtrade Nation?

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Clive Mulholland and Chaplain Vaughan Rees raising the Welsh Fair Trade Flag on its visit to the University, 12th February 2009

What is Fairtrade?

Fairtrade is a global alternative trade movement which guarantees fair trading prices for the producers of the consumer goods we enjoy.

Fairtrade is about:

• better prices
• decent working conditions
• local sustainability
• fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices which can result from conventional trading practices. These practices often discriminate against the poorest, weakest producers. Fairtrade enables producers in developing nations to improve their trading position and have more control over their lives.

What’s wrong with the way things are?

Consider this: you work 60 hours a week or more, with few breaks and under tough conditions. If you complain, they replace you or you may even get beaten. You open your wage packet, and after paying the bills there is hardly enough for your family to have one simple meal a day. Alternatively, imagine you are a farmer producing crops for the market. If prices on the world commodity markets fall between planting and harvest, you may end up getting less than you’ve paid out. Eventually you give up. You sell your land for a pittance to a big international company and become a wage earner – if you are lucky. Global unfair trading practices mean that millions of people face this kind of scenario all the time.

How does Fairtrade work?

At the production end

In a Fairtrade scheme, producers are assured a guaranteed price for their product. Often they receive part-payment well in advance of the end sale of their goods. This helps them to reinvest into production, and to feed themselves and their families.

On many Fairtrade schemes the workers own a share of the land, making it a co-operative which is worked and owned by indigenous people. This helps to ensure their future stability because decisions are made for the benefit of the community and not on the basis of profit for shareholders in wealthy countries.

At the consumer end

Buying Fairtrade products in shops or online helps to ensure continuity of production at the other end of the partnership. It also offers shoppers an ethical and moral alternative to buying products which may have been produced through the exploitation of vulnerable people – often women, children and illegally-trafficked workers.

Recognising Fairtrade products

The range of Fairtrade products is constantly expanding. You can buy tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, biscuits, wafers, chocolate bars, Geo bars, flapjacks, fruit drinks, beer, bananas, and much more. Many of these are available here on the University campuses. And for that special treat or gift, there are Fairtrade boxes of chocolates, Fairtrade wine, flowers, clothes, and more.

Look for the Fairtrade mark. Wherever you see it you can be sure that the product has been produced fairly and without exploitation. The mark looks like this:

Fairtrade events

The Fairtrade Steering Group consists of representatives from the University Chaplaincy, the Students’ Union, Hospitality Services and students who have an interest in Fairtrade. They monitor the University’s Fairtrade policy and organise events with Fairtrade themes and products throughout the year. If you are interested, please feel free to contact Vaughan Rees (the Chair of the University Fairtrade group) – we’d love your help with future events.

All Fairtrade events are advertised on Glamlife, the Chaplaincy weblog, the Chaplaincy Facebook group and the Students’ Union website. Keep your eyes peeled and you’ll easily find out more about future events.

The last week of February and the first week of March every year are together known as Fairtrade Fortnight.

If you have any queries or comments regarding Fairtrade in the University, please contact Vaughan Rees (the Chair of the University Fairtrade group).

Useful links

• Fairtrade Foundation – The website of the Fairtrade Foundation, the campaigning and certification organisation behind the Fairtrade mark.
• Fairtrade Labelling Organization – Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) is part of a worldwide network of Fairtrade organisations.
• Trade Justice Movement – The Trade Justice Movement is a coalition of organisations campaigning for change to the rules and institutions governing international trade.

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