24. November 2021

One Year as a Fairtrade University One Year as a Fairtrade University

University of Bonn celebrates first anniversary of Fairtrade certification

The University of Bonn has every reason to celebrate, as it has now been entitled to call itself a “Fairtrade University” for a whole year. The honor is given to universities that are committed to fair and sustainable trade and consumption practices. For instance, the Studierendenwerk Bonn sells fair-trade coffee, tea and chocolate, while the student initiative organizes events such as a goal wall challenge in the Hofgarten. During the “Sustainable September” campaign month, this drew the attention of passersby and University members to the poor conditions under which some sporting goods are produced and the human rights abuses committed in the countries where they are made.

Actors of the Fairtrade Group: Meera Klußmann, Judith Meder, Leonie Bach and Luise Tegeler.
Actors of the Fairtrade Group: Meera Klußmann, Judith Meder, Leonie Bach and Luise Tegeler. © University of Bonn/ Barbara Frommann
Download all images in original size The picture "Actors of the Fairtrade Group" is not intended for reprinting. The reprint of the picture "Certificate" in connection with the news is free of charge, the indicated author of the picture must be named.

“Getting the award in November 2020 was a major step for our University,” says Prof. Dr. Annette Scheersoi, Vice Rector for Sustainability. We want to push the issue of sustainability further at all levels and instill a sustainability culture.” The Fairtrade initiative has a key role to play in this process, she adds: “I’m overjoyed that so many people are promoting the idea of a sustainable university, and our Fairtrade team, in particular, has already launched numerous fantastic campaigns. Many congratulations on reaching the one-year mark!”

It took two years to work toward the award, which is presented by TransFair e.V. (Fairtrade Germany). Particularly noteworthy was the high level of commitment that students showed in supporting and helping to shape the application process. However, receiving the award is not the end but merely the beginning of another phase of development. Within the steering group, therefore, all the relevant stakeholders—the Rectorate, administrators, the Studierendenwerk and student representatives—are working together with great dedication to organize events and promote the buying of fair-trade products.

To coincide with the one-year anniversary, the highly committed students have a further success to report: “You’ll very soon see fair-trade bananas in the Studierendenwerk canteens,” announce a happy Leonie Bach, Judith Meder and Luise Tegeler from the Fairtrade team. The group of students intends to raise awareness of fair trade with another series of campaigns and events in the coming semesters. Anyone keen to put their own fair-trade ideas into practice is invited to join the student initiative and play an active role in helping to make the University a fairer and more sustainable place.

Congratulations have also come in from Fairtrade Germany: “We’d like to congratulate the University of Bonn on its first anniversary as a Fairtrade University and thank all those involved,” said Kristina Klecko, Campaign Officer for Fairtrade Universities. “Every university that’s strengthening the fair-trade cause is making a key contribution to greater sustainability and fighting for global justice. Over the next few years, we want to step up networking between the Fairtrade Universities in Germany and abroad and thus make the voices calling for fair trade even louder.”

Contact:

Vice Rectorate for Sustainability: prorektorat.nachhaltigkeit@uni-bonn.de

Fairtrade University student initiative: fairtrade@uni-bonn.de

The award certificate was presented a year ago.
The award certificate was presented a year ago. © University of Bonn/ Barbara Frommann
Wird geladen