1,000 signatures reached
To: Victoria University of Wellington - University Council
Get Victoria University Fair Trade Accredited!
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We are calling upon the University to adopt the following measures:
• The University Council (and VUWSA) will pass a resolution in support of fair trade. The resolution should state that the University Council (and VUWSA) will create a Fair Trade policy to facilitate meeting the minimum requirements for Fair trade universities/ tertiary education providers.
• Fair trade products are made readily available at as many on-campus retail outlets as possible (at least 30%).
• Fair trade tea and coffee are the default options at all UC and SU meetings and in (as a preferred goal) at least 50% of all university/tertiary education departments, student union offices, kitchenettes and staff rooms.
• A Fair trade Steering Group is established that enables the university to meet the minimum requirements and suggested initiatives.
• Fair trade is promoted within the university/tertiary education facility. This should include: use of fair trade promotional materials and hosting at least one fair trade focused event each year.
• The Steering Group will provide an annual report to Fair Trade Communities NZ and the University will prepare a timeline of fair trade initiatives and goals.
Why is this important?
Fair trade has wide-reaching benefits for disadvantaged producers in less-economically developed countries, including commitments to fair wages, environmental protection, gender equality, community development projects and policies against forced and child labour. As an institution which professes our values to be respect, responsibility, fairness, integrity and empathy, this is something Victoria University of Wellington must support.
Currently, Victoria University of Wellington’s efforts to be a “global–civic university” with a “commitment to civil society and global citizenship,” as mentioned in their Strategic Plan, is undermined by a lack of fair trade initiatives, as the university remains complicit in proliferating global trade inequalities.
Ethical trade and transparent supply chains are values that are becoming increasingly important to consumers, especially students. Fair trade accreditation provides Victoria University of Wellington the opportunity to assert itself as a leader in the world of ethical trade.
Becoming fair trade accredited would reaffirm the University as a values driven organisation and meet some of its commitments, such as the ‘University Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals’ in 2017 where VUW agreed to support and promote the sustainable development goals; striving for fair trade accreditation will help meet some of these goals such as: responsible consumption and production; reduced inequalities; no poverty; and good health and wellbeing.
Otago University and the University of Canterbury have already achieved fair trade accreditation through increasing the availability of fair trade products on their campuses and promoting these options to students and staff. Through striving to meet the requirements for fair trade accreditation, Victoria University of Wellington will be able to better support and promote fair trade products and initiatives.
For Victoria University of Wellington to truly represent the city, it must represent Wellington’s values and initiatives. Wellington was branded the first fair trade capital city in the Southern Hemisphere in 2009 and continues to support fair trade organisations and initiatives. The University must aim to do the same.
Fair trade accreditation is granted by Fair Trade Communities NZ once the outlined requirements have been met. This system recognises products with either the World Fair Trade Organisation or the Fairtrade International symbols.
How it will be delivered
This petition will be delivered to the University Council for them to pass a resolution to adopt measures to gain and retain Fair trade accreditation.
Victoria Development Society will achieve this through reaching out to relevant stakeholders such as VUWSA, the student representatives on the University Council, and the University's Sustainability department.