What is Fairtrade? 

Fairtrade is a global movement for change with a strong and active presence in the UK, represented by the Fairtrade Foundation. They work with businesses, consumers and campaigners to secure a better deal for farmers and workers. 

Fairtrade seeks to ensure “better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers around the world, particularly in lower income countries.” How do they do this? The companies that they work with are required to pay sustainable prices that never fall below the market price. Conventional trading discriminates against producers from low-income countries, so Fairtrade combats that. 

Fairtrade and decolonisation 

According to the University of Essex, decolonisation is about identifying colonial systems, structures and relationships, and working to challenge those systems. It involves changing society’s prevailing perspectives from a culture of exclusion and denial of the past to the recognition of it and shifting the culture. This shift is to think more widely about why common knowledge is what it is, and in so doing, adjusting cultural perceptions and power relations.  

Fairtrade recognised that in 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement raised awareness of Britain’s investment in the transatlantic slave trade and the impact it has on contemporary life. Today, the commodity trade is a hangover from the days of colonialism and slavery: the very concept of ‘commodities’ dehumanises trade, prioritising the product over the person growing it. Fairtrade says that trade in agricultural commodities – ”coffee, tea, cocoa, bananas, as well as sugar – discriminates against people in the global South”. 

Not only this, but companies have competed to offer ever cheaper products to consumers, resulting in price wars that too often come at the expense of farmers, with risks and costs passed down the supply chain until there is no value left for the producers. Prices are set and decisions are made without the involvement of those who grow the products, taking their voice from them. 

When looking at racial equality, the global commodity trade is unfortunately part of the problem, and Fairtrade works to fight against this. Most recently Fairtrade as an organisation has become 50% owned by producers from Latin America, Asia and Africa, giving them power to make their own decisions for their organisations, families and communities.  Arguably this percentage should be higher, but this represents a step in the right direction! 

What is Fairtrade fortnight? 

Fairtrade dedicates two weeks every year to celebrate farmers and workers who make the worlds food. Over the fortnight, Fairtrade aims to spread awareness and to promote Fairtrade certified products to the public. This year UWE Bristol’s Fairtade Fortnight is happening from the 19^th of February till the 3^rd of March. 

The Student’s Union are putting on the following events for you to participate in: 

·         Glenside Bake Sale: At The Engagement Space in The Students’ Union on Glenside Campus - Monday 26 February 2024 12:00-14:00 

·         Global Café Bulb Planting Drop – 2P4, Global Lounge, Frenchay Campus - Wednesday 28th February 2024 11:00-12:00 

·         Fairtrade: A Different Way Of Doing Business For People, Planet And Profit - 2B020, Frenchay Campus - Wednesday 28th February 2024 10:00-11:00 

·         Bower Ashton Bake Sale: A block shared space, Bower Ashton Campus - Thursday 29th February 2024 12:00 - 14:00 

What are we doing for Fairtrade at UWE?  

UWE Bristol is pleased to have been a Fairtrade accredited University since 2006. Throughout this time, UWE Bristol have utilised Fairtrade to increase awareness within the university community about issues related to social and economic justice, environmental resilience, climate change, gender equality, and global citizenship. 

Here at the SU we want to do our part too! You can buy Fairtrade goods in any of our campus cafes, restaurants, bars, and shops. The Students' Union is dedicated to expanding its selection and currently carries over 25 products in its shops.