Campaign Launch Report
(Report on the campaign launch taken from qub.ac.uk website)
The event marks the progress of Queen’s and the Students’ Union as they strive to achieve Fairtrade status for the University. The campaign is supported by local political representatives and Belfast City Council. Guest speakers will include Suzie Hamilton from Oxfam and Hugh Gilmartin from Bewley’s.
Organising the event, Student Union President Maria McCloskey said: “Fairtrade is an issue which has been on the agenda at Queen’s for some time now. Already Queen’s provides Fairtrade products in all its catering outlets and actively encourages staff and students to buy the products. We also highlight the issues and implications of the Fairtrade Campaign.
“This event is all about highlighting the Fairtrade Campaign so that we may continue in our efforts to educate the Queen’s Community about the importance and value of this work.”
Supporting the event, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gerry McCormac said: “Queen’s University is fully committed to the Fairtrade Campaign. In today’s commercially driven world producers often see very little profit from their produce. Third world farmers are particularly vulnerable to commercial exploitation. They need the support that Fairtrade can offer to ensure that a fair price is paid for their produce.
“By buying Fairtrade products we are ensuring that production costs are covered and that a small profit is returned to farmers. This enables communities to develop and provides schooling, basic amenities and a decent quality of life for these vulnerable people.
Staff and students at Queen’s are committed to raising awareness of Fairtrade and its ethos. Today’s event is one of a range of initiatives organized through the Students’ Union in association with the University to promote Fairtrade products. The Students’ Union at Queen’s has produced a poster and a website to highlight its efforts to encourage the purchase of Fairtrade products.
For further information contact: Communications Office, 028 9097 5323