Below is a case for reference - How to promote fair trade in tertiary education? Your concerns may also be the difficulties our interviewee had faced, so how did they overcome these barriers? Fair Trade is not only a social movement but also a practice. Apart form selling fair trade products, Fair Circle puts huge efforts on education, advocacy and putting theories into practice in order to encourage everyone to support fair trade in their society. Fair Circle invites you to share your experiences and practices to promote fair trade in your place! Interviewees: Yannis, Candy, Rikku, Maris, Members of 'Let Trade Be Fair' Interviewers: Fong Shui Wo and Chu Wai Wan, Interns of Fair Circle
Reporter: Fong Shui Wo, interns form Hong Kong Institute of Education
It is time for graduation in May. Every students are working hard on their final year projects. Four final year students from Community College of City University of Hong Kong spent a whole year on their final year project about fair trade movement. Let's be encouraged by their inspiring stores in promoting fair trade. Background
Yannis, Candy Rikku and Maris were studying in associate of arts in communication and public relations in the Community College of City University. They picked fair trade as topics of their final year report as they all share this common value. After an introduction session from the Fair Trade Hong Kong Foundation, they learn about what fair trade and started to come up with promotion activities. Since Fair Trade movement is not popular enough in HK, compare to Europe and the U.S , the team decided to promote the idea in campus. The half-year promotional period widen their horizon towards the movement, as well as meeting people who share same passion in fair trade. Promotion Methods
By applying the theories learnt from communication and public relations lectures, the team organized different kinds of activities to promote fair trade. Firstly, they established a Facebook fans page called 'Let Trade Be Fair' and updated regularly on fair trade information and activities. The page achieved more than 100 likes within 1 month. It became a communication platform for people who are interested in fair trade. Apart from that, they also organize activities below to attract the public:
Workshop of Coffee Grains Tie Dying - With the help of Fair Trade Hong Kong Foundation, they got coffee grains from cafes which minimized the materials cost . The event was a great sucess! Students enjoyed promoting fair trade such a fun way . Participants shared their works on social media actively. Due to that, number of participants for the 2nd workshop was over their estimation. The team even received an invitation from a high school to organize the workshop and promote fair trade! Campus Sale - The event held in the main campus of City University and Telford Annex last for 4 days. They bought a variety of products from Fair Circle. Having a misconception that fair trade products are only limited to chocolate and coffee, they were exciting to discover our fair trade essential oils and bags. Contrasting to their expectations, the Campus Sale was a great success. Some customers even come back for orders. They observe that small packs of candy and tea bags best sellers among students. Exhibition boards and leaflets were also displayed about Fair Circle and Fair Trade Hong Kong Foundation. These materials aroused students' awareness on the topic and inspired them to practice fair trade in their lives. Budget Concern
Many of you may worry to about budget when organizing a fair trade event. However, our interviewees were also students like you, how did they get their budget? Apart from seeking sponsorship, the team also raise fund by giving HKD500 per person as their capital. At first, they thought of losing their investments. Unexpectedly, their event was greatly supported by schoolmates. With the HKD30/head charges ( mainly for the ingredients) of coffee tie-dying workshop, they even earned an income , adequate for printing exhibition materials. They encourage all of you who are interested in promoting fair trade to be brave, persistent, have good division of labor, coupled with sufficient confidence, and all adversaries can be overcome . Promote Fair Trade in Your Place
After finishing the final year project, they learn a lot about fair trade. The most memorable experience is when professors strongly supported their actions in a fund raising event. During the event, not only did they make a great effort to support the marginalized farmers in third world countries, but also experienced the great spirit in supporting fair trade in Universities and Colleges. 'Don't let it stop!' concluded by a member. So would you stand up and promote fair trade in your place, at your school? PDF download |
