Trade Fair

 

The University of London Union (ULU) aims to develop ethical and environmentally sustainable services and to encourage the University and others to do the same.  This is the basis of Trade Fair, a ULU priority campaign for 2005 - 2006.

A Student Success

Students have been at the forefront of the campaign to Make Poverty History.  This movement shows how much can be achieved when diverse groups and individuals work together for change.  But in a world in which coffee producers receive a mere 2% of the supermarket price of their goods, a huge amount of change is still needed.  Students can make a real difference: not only by campaigning, but by how they spend their money.

Samuel Thomas (ULU Vice-President) and Rees Howell (ULU Environment and Ethics Officer) enjoy fairtrade products from ULU's shops.

Action for Change

Ethical and environmental concerns have long been at the heart of ULU’s work.  In 2005, ULU affiliated to Make Poverty History and participated in the Trade Justice lobby of Parliament in November.  ULU also aims to ensure that its own services reflect the values that so many students share:

•  We are increasing the range of fairtrade goods available at ULU retail outlets.  Our many varieties of coffee are now all fairtrade.

• We have conducted an environmental audit of the ULU building, which is now being implemented.  This ensured that the recent building work at ULU was based on environmental principles. 

• ULU will host a Fairtrade Fayre on 9th March, giving students the chance to experience a wide variety of fairtrade goods, from clothes and jewellery to chocolate and bananas.  There will be plenty of information on where else students can buy such products.

• Recycling bins will appear around ULU in the next few months, allowing students to recycle paper, cans and cartridges.

A workshop gets under way at the Trade Fair Forum in January 2006.

Trade Fair Forum

December 2005 saw the launch of ULU’s new Trade Fair Forum.  The Forum is a resource for all students interested in fairtrade, sustainability and global justice.  It enables students, student societies and College Unions to share information on campaigns and services.  There are two aspects to the Forum:

• Online discussion - click here to read other students’ comments, or to share your thoughts.

• Monthly gatherings, held at different Colleges in turn.  The next will be held at Queen Mary Students' Union, on Thursday, 9th February.  Read the details here.

The support of students from across the University of London will make the Trade Fair Forum a success.  You can join the online discussion, come along to the gatherings, or send us an e-mail with your questions and comments.  We look forward to hearing from you!  

“Another world is possible.  We can all contribute to it.  During this year, we will see ULU providing ever more ethical and sustainable services.”

 Samuel Thomas

ULU Vice-President

(Finance, Services and Operations)