The University of Edinburgh
Sustainability and Environmental Advisory Group (SEAG)
19 June 2012
Report from the Fairtrade Steering Group (FSG)
Brief description of the paper
This paper provides an update on the work overseen by the group in the current academic year 2011-12.
Specific items to consider include the successful Fairtrade Fortnight event attended by Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop, affiliation for Worker Rights Consortium and – following a wide-ranging review of the work of the Group – appointment of two summer intern and proposed fixed term post to assist in developing the work of the Fair Trade Academic Network and supportive activities eg monitoring sustainable procurements.
Action requested
SEAG is invited to note the report.
Resource implications
Does the paper have resource implications?
Yes. Budgets within Procurement Office and Sustainability Office provide resources for these activities.
Risk Assessment
Does the paper include a risk analysis? No
Equality and Diversity
Does the paper have equality and diversity implications? No
Freedom of information
Can this paper be included in open business? Yes
Originator of the paper
Karen Bowman, Director of Procurement
Convener of the Fairtrade Steering Group
6 June 2012
Paper to be presented by
Karen Bowman
Report from Fairtrade Steering Group (FSG) – June 2012
Key achievements this past year:
1. First in Scotland to affiliate to Worker Rights Consortium & code of conduct re garment trade
2. Fairtrade Fortnight: Cabinet Secretary Keynote visit to University Chaplaincy / meeting with Nicaraguan Coffee producer; Three societies collaborated in a Fairtrade Tea Party
3. Resubmit our Fairtrade University accreditation (every two years): very good story to tell on progress.
4. FSG Review: engagement is key challenge now, resources are required and new plans developed.
5. Resources: summer internships via Employ.Ed to assist with establishing FTAN and monitor.
6. Plans: Procurement funding fixed term Fairtrade Coordinator and student volunteer roles planned.
Prof Tim Hayward, Fair Trade Academic Network convenor, JWI, is on sabbatical this year.
Worker Rights Consortium (WRC):
The University has joined the Worker Rights Consortium, following an investigation by the Procurement Office and a joint paper from students Phillipa Faulker (EUSA VPS) and Amabel Crowe (p&p) to FSG. Nigel Paul, our sustainable procurement champion, agreed to be signatory to WRC affiliation and we drafted a code of conduct for the garment industry which suits our situation.
We are the first institution in Scotland to affiliate with this non-political organisation established by sister institutions in the USA (now over 185 members) and have had enquiries from others who want to do so.
People Planet have a national campaign and NUS-Services Ltd are already members. FSG will monitor the benefits but already we have seen support from SEAG OPS, CMG and garment buyers within the campus here.
Whilst WRC cannot guarantee that our supply chain does not include any exploitation of garment workers, it investigates factories, provides information about issues or workers who may be denied basic International Labour Organisation standard rights.
All the information is in the public domain demonstrating our leadership and SRS engagement. www.ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/procurement/news/works-rights-consortium
Fairtrade Fortnight 2012:
Fairtrade Fortnight was another successful awareness-raising period with events of all sorts from Fairtrade Football competition, to Fairtrade Afternoon Tea where three societies joined together. We also had a Fairtrade coconut shy and Accommodation Services KeepCup Fairtrade coffee promotion and EUSA outlets all promoted fairly traded goods.
We were thrilled to be chosen by the Scottish Fair Trade Forum to host the Cabinet Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, MSP for her Keynote speech on International Women’s Day to announce funding for Scotland to become (the second) Fair Trade Nation during 2012.
Norma Pavia, a Nicaraguan Fairtrade coffee producer, told us not only about empowerment but also ‘life-saving’ benefits of fair trade (premiums paid for over 2,000 local women’s cervical smear tests, over 100 were diagnosed and went to successful cancer treatments).
VP Mary Bownes’ opening remarks told of the University’s long commitment to SRS and fair trade.
Review of the Fairtrade Steering Group:
FSG reviewed its progress at a workshop and identified the key risk area as ‘engagement’. As was researched in the MSc PPP student group in 2011, it is clear that ‘Fairtrade’ label is known, but what commitment to being a Fairtrade University means to individual staff and students less so.
Edinburgh Sustainability Awards and success in P&P Green League (a 1st) both include fair trade aspects.
FSG proposed resources e.g. interns, staff position, student volunteers. Progress is reported below.
We continue to engage with Holyrood Cross Party Fairtrade Group who noted that Ian Macaulay, Assistant Directr (Catering) in Accommodation Services had shown leadership in the ‘Just Trading’ Malawi Rice challenge (funding 35 children in Malawi from fairly traded rice and lentils cooked and eaten at Pollock Halls (90kg sales pays a premium to enable a child to attend high school for a year).
Two Procurement Office staff continue to support the Edinburgh Fairtrade City Initiative, again holding successful schools event and brunch; Emma Saunders, student (P&P) was commended for fair trade outreach to city schools, and by Printing Services contact (Stuart McLean) worked with primary children in North Berwick.
Resources are now enhanced by 2 student internships through the Employ.Ed scheme which attracted 14 well qualified students willing to work for 8 weeks in (& funded by) Procurement Office:
· Sophie Whitehead will be investigating our fair trade academic research and publications with a view to stimulating more inter-disciplinary engagement and link to the global academy models.
· Alice Kennedy will be updating evidence for sustainable procurement flexible framework on SEAG topics.
We are recruiting a ‘Fair Trade Coordinator’ to assist Director of Procurement on FSG /FTAN activity.
We will be looking for student volunteers using the EUSA Volunteer recruitment service next session.
Alumni activity: formal receptions serve (in house) fair trade and alumni invited to University events.
Karen Bowman, Director of Procurement
Convener of Fairtrade Steering Group
6 June 2012
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