Publications

Authors:

Baratta, R.; Simeoni, F.

Title:

Fair Trade and Universities: The Case of Certified Fairtrade Universities in the UK (Extended Abstract)

Year:

2020

Type of item:

Contributo in atti di convegno

Tipologia ANVUR:

Contributo in Atti di convegno

Language:

Inglese

Format:

Elettronico

Congresso:

Sinergie-SIMA 2020 Conference. Grand challenges: companies and universities working for a better society

Place:

Pisa

Period:

7-8 settembre 2020

Page numbers:

51-57

Keyword:

Fair Trade, Fairtrade University, Good practice, Sustainable research, Sustainable education, Stakeholders engagement

Short description of contents:

The fair trade is a social movement that promotes a fair and sustainable development of the global economy as a possible option within the traditional trade system (Fisher, 2009). In addition, the fair trade encourages a sustainable trade system by aligning targets and objectives with the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (UN - SDGs, 2015), with particular reference to full and decent employment, inclusive and sustainable economic growth (Goal 8), and responsible consumption and production patterns (Goal 12). The fair trade operates as a system, with local national organizations, or FTOs (Fair Trade Organizations) acting as a bridge between producers from emerging countries and profit companies from developed countries (Moore, 2004). These “intermediate organizations” (Simeoni et al., 2020) basically sell to their own country the products they purchase through a fair value chain from the international context. There exist three major intermediate organizations operating at the worldwide level (WFTO, 2017): the US organization, the German organization and the Italian organization (Altromercato Impresa Sociale Soc. Coop). In the remaining countries, and in the UK in particular, several organizations with less impact at the single level operate in a more widespread and pervasive way (Anderson, 2015). Irrespectively of the organizational form, from the more centralized to the more fragmented ones, the aim of fair-trade organizations is double: on the one hand, they support producers from the Global South through economic empowerment, while, on the other hand, they raise public awareness and engagement about fair and sustainable production and consumption patterns in developed countries. The fair-trade system is widely acknowledged for its fundamental impact in the creation of a better society and for its full contribution to the concept of sustainable development. Universities and higher education institutions are also acknowledged for their important role in the creation of a more sustainable society (Sallaku et al., 2019). As it has been highlighted by previous literature, universities can significantly influence wider society (Kaplowitz et al., 2009), they carry the moral responsibility to solve public challenges and to contribute to sustainability (Cortese, 1992), and, as proper part of their mission, they are in charge of fostering education in sustainable consumption patterns in order to educate people for a better future (Barth and Rieckmann, 2012; Meyer, 2016). Taking into account the important contribution of both universities and the fair-trade system to the creation of a more sustainable society, it is reasonable to argue that synergic results and increased impacts could be achieved if these institutions cooperate and work together in the creation of public value. In the UK, Fairtrade Foundation is the main promoter of the fair-trade system. Fairtrade Foundation belongs to the wider Fairtrade International, that was founded in the ‘90s, as a non-profit, multi-stakeholder association with numerous partners all over the world (three regional producer networks and over 25 national Fairtrade organizations and marketing organizations). In countries where no major FTO exist, not as in the case of US, Germany or Italy, Fairtrade International national organizations are the proper reference point for fair trade. Hence, Fairtrade Foundation has undoubtedly the largest impact on the UK fair-trade system. Fairtrade Foundation has adopted an interesting social relevant strategy aimed at increasing stakeholder and public engagement, with particular reference to higher education institutions. The Foundation, in fact, has developed a specific program providing the opportunity to become a Certified Fairtrade University, i.e. a University or College that has made a commitment to supporting and using as many Fairtrade products as possible and to raising awareness of Fairtrade with

Note:

ISBN 97888943937-6-7

Product ID:

125282

Handle IRIS:

11562/1059522

Last Modified:

January 11, 2024

Bibliographic citation:

Baratta, R.; Simeoni, F., Fair Trade and Universities: The Case of Certified Fairtrade Universities in the UK (Extended Abstract)  in Proceedings of the Sinergie-SIMA 2020 Conference , Proceedings of "Sinergie-SIMA 2020 Conference. Grand challenges: companies and universities working for a better society" , Pisa , 7-8 settembre 2020 , 2020 , pp. 51-57

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