School pupils present their ideas on Fairtrade

As part of Fairtrade Fortnight, Robert Gordon University underlined its commitment to the cause by hosting an event which brought together local school pupils, students and key figures in the international drive for fairly traded products.

‘The Big Swap' event took place on Tuesday 2 March at the University's Aberdeen Business School, in partnership with the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen College and The Aberdeen Third World Centre. The name of the event was taken from the wider national Fairtrade Fortnight campaign to encourage people to swap to Fairtrade stamped products, and school pupils from across Aberdeen city and shire presented their poster ideas around the campaign on the day.

Sponsored by Co-op, who are providing winning prize vouchers for the school pupils, the event also encompassed participation from Aberdeen City and Shire Councils.

The Big Swap included presentations by Mahmoud al Qadi, a Palestinian Fairtrade olive farmer, and Jamil Hijazin, who represents the Fairtrade Development Centre (FTDC) in Bethlehem. They were invited to take part in Fairtrade Fortnight events happening across Scotland by Betsy Reed, Director of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum.

Betsy, who took up her role as the first member of staff for the Scottish Fair Trade Forum (SFTF) in August 2007, has overseen its evolution to an organisation with a Board of 13, additional staff and a team of skilled and dedicated volunteers. She provided a short address at the event followed by a Q&A session.

Professor Peter Robertson, Vice Principal (Research & Commercialisation) at the University explained: "The University is delighted to support the ‘Big Swap' event during Fairtrade Fortnight 2010. We are proud supporters of Fairtrade products and this event demonstrates excellent acknowledgment and commitment as an institution."

Niccolo Capanni, who leads the Fairtrade Group at Robert Gordon University, and coordinated the event with the support of the University's Centre for Understanding Sustainability in Practice, said: "Making the choice to purchase Fairtrade products affects the lives of people around the world, and we hope that this event can raise the profile of the initiative locally. It is important to keep Scotland at the forefront of Fairtrade awareness and I think that it is particularly beneficial for the young people attending the event to take these important messages forward into the future."

Mahmoud al Qadi, who is one of 32 olive farmers in his local area who make up the Beni Zeid Cooperative, is passionate about how Fairtrade is changing the livelihoods of many in his village. Mahmoud added: "Because of Fairtrade we are thinking collectively in this Cooperative. We're not just developing ourselves, we're developing a community."

For more information about The Big Swap, visit http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/thebigswap/.

ENDS

Notes to editor:
Photo caption: Niccolo Capanni (second from left) with pupils of Aberdeen Grammar School at the event.

Niccolo Capanni can be contacted directly on 01224 262707.

Further details about the Robert Gordon University Fairtrade Group are available from:
Fair Trade and Procurement

Katy Jones
Communications Officer
Robert Gordon University
Schoolhill
Aberdeen
AB10 1FR
Tel: 01224 262206
Email: c.a.c.jones@rgu.ac.uk

Go to Home Page