Step 1. Spreading the word
- Holding a successful Fairtrade stall
- Sweet Injustice: The chocolate game
- Winning them over: Frequently Asked Questions
- From football to fashion shows: More ideas for Fairtrade events
Step 2. Get Fairtrade products stocked in your school or university
Step 3. Becoming a Fairtrade school, college or university
In order to present what you want clearly to decision makers we suggest that you write a short (1-3 page) Proposal. This document essentially should present a convincing argument for why your school, college or university should work for Fairtrade status. Once written your proposal can be used to persuade both your targets and allies to support the campaign.
For a college or university:
The policy must be created and endorsed by both the Students´ Union and the University/college so it is important to get support from both of them. Once you have your Proposal, we suggest that you arrange meetings with all the possible decision makers. Take along any research you have done to prove the popularity of Fairtrade. You can also use your allies to influence the decision-making process - they may even push the proposal through internally which would mean much less work for you! If you are finding it hard to get a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor or principal, try asking the Executive of the Students´ Union to act on your behalf as they normally have regular meetings with them.
Although the Vice-Chancellor/principal controls the university/college don´t ignore the catering services, as they too need to become committed to Fairtrade. Often universities have a `catering forum´ meeting where you could perhaps present your proposal and answer any questions they may have about Fairtrade.
For a school:
The policy must be created and endorsed by the school council or the school governors so it is important to get them on side. Arrange to go to one of their meetings and plan a group presentation to explain your Proposal and the issues of Fairtrade.
You could either ask whether they will invite the catering manager along to the meeting, or have a separate meeting for him/her and the staff team to give them your Proposal. You could give a short presentation of your Proposal to teachers and the Headteacher to tell them about your campaign as well as finding out which of them is interested in Fairtrade.
What needs to go in your proposal
1. Outline your requests
Explain what Fairtrade status is and what criteria they need to meet to achieve it. Mention that other schools, colleges and universities have already achieved Fairtrade status. More information can be found on this website. You can also relate it to local initiatives, for example if your town is a Fairtrade town or campaigning for status. You can find this out on the Fairtrade Foundation website.
2. Explain what Fairtrade is and its benefits
Don’t assume that they know exactly what Fairtrade is. Highlight the benefits Fairtrade brings to producers (you could use information from this guide, or case studies from the People & Planet or Fairtrade Foundation websites.) And explain the benefits Fairtrade Status would bring to the school, college or university. These benefits could include: * enabling students and staff to make socially responsible decisions * educating students and staff about global issues * exposing students to the concept of empowerment — both that of producers and their own * as many towns have Fairtrade initiatives it could be a good opportunity to build up links with the local community and improve the image of the school/college/university * providing better quality food as Fairtrade products all have to meet certain environmental standards * Attracting future students who might be interested in an institution’s ethical policies
3. Demonstrate the support you have
Include evidence from Fairtrade campaigning and results of any surveys you have done showing student demand for Fairtrade as well as any support you already have from allies. You could also include information about other Fairtrade initiatives going on in your area, such as a Fairtrade town campaign, and local Fairtrade schools, colleges or universities.
4. Explain in general terms what needs to be done to meet the Fairtrade status criteria; and who needs to do it
5. Explain what you can do to help. Explain that your group members can organise events to help ensure that Fairtrade does well and sit on the Institutional Steering Group.
OPTIONAL EXTRA
You could go further in your Proposal by actually providing detailed information about how the school, college or university could achieve the 5 goals. For example, you could suggest supply options, produce cost comparisons between Fairtrade and normal products, or provide them with product samples. If you decide to do this, do take care to get your facts right, as getting your facts wrong will undermine your credibility - call the P&P support office for advice. Catering supply contracts are often complex, so if you´re not sure, leave it up to the school, college or university to do the research. After all, they are the catering experts!
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