Fair-trade events, sales planned

By Communications staff, Washington State University
 
PULLMAN – Fair-trade awareness is the goal of a variety of events on the Pullman campus this week.
Wikipedia explains fair trade as an approach that advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as social and environmental standards in production. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries. The intent is to work with marginalized producers and workers in order to help them move towards economic self-sufficiency and stability.
The week’s events are sponsored by the Progressive Student Union in conjunction with the Bookie and fair trade clothiers from Bolivia. The PSU is a WSU student organization that works for human rights, justice and political change through non-violent activist means.

Fair-trade events include:

• Bolivians from the fair-trade cooperative Chasqui-Manos will sell hats, gloves, sweaters and other woven goods 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday on the Terrell Mall. Purchase directly supports workers in developing nations by providing a fair wage, safe working conditions, health benefits, access to education and other benefits.

• The Bookie will showcase its fair-trade items and direct students to that section within the store (on the lower level). Fair-trade coffee sold in the café will be available.

• “Fair Trade, Free Market,” Under the Big Tent debate, noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, on the mall. Panelists will examine the strengths and weaknesses of each.

• Chasqui-Manos Bolivian Cooperative director Mario Andrade speaks at 6:30 p.m. in CUE 202. 
 
• “Buyer be Fair,” film and discussion 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday in the CUB auditorium, looks at the certification process for fair trade items.
• Information tables and free-trade discussion by members of different groups all week long 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the mall.

For more information, contact Chelsea Tremblay (smilefred@gmail.com) or Geoff Ringwald (gringwald@wsu.edu).

 

Next Story

Recent News

Inside WSU’s student-run hackathons

Hackathons have become a defining space for student innovation, with two taking center stage this year.
By Sravanthi Yalamanchili, Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

WSU recognized for support of first-generation students

The university’s elevation to FirstGen Forward Network Champion reflects growing enrollment, improved retention, and expanded support programs helping first-generation students succeed.
By RJ Wolcott, WSU News & Media Relations