Fairtrade Status celebrations for University

An official presentation was held to mark the University achieving Fairtrade status, rewarding the efforts of staff and students in supporting ethical trading on campus.

The new Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Julie Stewart-Turner, presented a formal certificate to the University's Vice- Chancellor, Professor Bob Cryan, at a special reception held at the University this week.

Pictured with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Cryan (third right), the Mayor
of Kirklees, Councillor Julie Stewart-Turner, and the Mayor's Consort,
Mr Darrel Turner, are members of the University's Fairtrade Steering Group,
(left to right) Deputy Catering Manager Tony Lockwood, Environment and
Sustainability Co-ordinator Emily Rye, Assistant Director of Estates and Facilities
(Support Services) Jeff Cocker and Students' Union President Julien Boville.

Delighted to become the first organisation in Huddersfield to gain such an award, the Vice-Chancellor received the certificate from the Mayor along with members of the University's Fairtrade Steering Group, who have been instrumental in this latest success.

The award celebrates the joint efforts of staff and students in an innovative collaboration involving University staff and the University of Huddersfield Students` Union to promote Fairtrade principles throughout the University's three campuses.

To gain official accreditation, universities and other organisations had to demonstrate commitment to a number of criteria set by the Fairtrade Foundation. While the University has been operating on Fairtrade principles for several years now, offering Fairtrade products in all its catering outlets and at all meetings and events, products are now more widely available and there is a 100-plus selection to choose from. More recently a formal policy was created and a special steering group set up. In addition, the University had to supply an audit of products sold in its outlets and details of its campaigns and awareness events, for example, supporting Fairtrade Fortnight and holding tasting events.

The Fairtrade Foundation commended the University for the work they are doing and on one of the most clear and well-structured applications ever assessed. "Your steering group obviously took time to compile this application over the years," remarked Campaign Manager Sarah Jewell, "and the accompanying evidence does your campaign great justice. In Huddersfield you are trail-blazers when it comes to working for social justice for Fairtrade farmers around the world! You are definitely flying the Fairtrade flag and I hope you can prompt others to follow in your footsteps!"

Receiving the certificate from the Mayor, the University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Cryan, said: "We are delighted to be awarded Fairtrade status and to mark this achievement with the new Mayor of Kirklees. I am pleased that through our organisational and collective purchasing power we are making an ongoing and positive difference to disadvantaged people in the developing world. As an international university, it is important for our students to understand the issues affecting people across the globe and for us to bring social responsibility into their everyday lives. I hope it will inspire our staff, students, and visitors to think more about the wider impact of their buying decisions, and for other establishments in Huddersfield to work towards Fairtrade accreditation themselves."

According to the University Catering Manager and Chair of the University's Fairtrade Steering Group, Maxine Rowlands, the next step for the University will be to expand their Fairtrade product offering. This could include looking into Fairtrade cotton for catering staff uniforms and Fairtrade wine and flowers for events. They are also keen to play a leading role in the campaign to make Huddersfield a Fairtrade town.

Fairtrade Status celebrations for University

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