“Every time you spend money, you are casting a vote for the kind of world you want.”  Anna Lappe

Fair Trade certification ensures that producers receive fair compensation for their goods and labour. Fair Trade standards prohibit child labour and promote safe working conditions. Certification promotes strategies that enhance sustainable land management practices, such as organic agriculture and the responsible use of natural resources to protect ecosystems, reduce deforestation and mitigate climate change. More than 50% of all Fair Trade producer organisations are certified organic.

For a business to receive Fair Trade certification, they must follow the 10 principles of Fair Trade in their business practice, from maker to consumer. 

Benefits of Becoming a Fair Trade School

Becoming a Fair Trade school offers an excellent opportunity for students to examine global issues such as sustainability, the origins of everyday goods, and the impact of trade on the world’s most vulnerable people. Students will learn the multitude of ways they are connected to people around the world. Both staff and students can demonstrate their commitment to ethical conduct and social responsibility, contributing to a more just and sustainable global economy. As well as enhancing their understanding of global issues, students can learn a range of practical skills, including teamwork, research and analysis, persuasive writing and event organisation. 

Curriculum Links

Fair Trade learning addresses outcomes in the Australian F - 10 Curriculum in a variety of Key Learning Areas, including Humanities and Social Sciences (Civics and Citizenship, Geography, Economics and Business). Additionally, Fair Trade learning adds depth and richness to student learning through the General Capabilities (Ethical Understanding) and Cross Curriculum Priorities (Sustainability):

• Ethical Understanding
  • Understanding ethical concepts and issues
  • Exploring values, rights and responsibilities
  • Reasoning in decision-making and action

• Sustainability
  • Systems
  • World Views
  • Futures

How to Become a Fair Trade School

As some staff and students may be unaware of the Fair Trade movement, it is recommended you begin to raise awareness by having the school community view a short explanatory video or PowerPoint presentation.  You will find suitable presentations in the list of Resource List below.

From the interest generated, establish a working group made up of students and staff who are keen to pursue Fair Trade accreditation for your school. Next, contact the Fair Trade Association (FTA). The FTA will provide you with support along the way, to ensure a successful application.  They may also be able to put you in touch with other schools who have achieved accreditation as Fair Trade Schools, to provide you with ideas and inspiration.  The FTA can be contacted at info@fta.com.au 

Your action group can then begin to plan how they will meet the requirements for Fair Trade accreditation in Australia.

Fair Trade School Requirements

To receive recognition as a Fair Trade School, three requirements must be met.

1. At least two Fair Trade products must be used throughout the school.  For example, Fair Trade tea and coffee may be used in the staff room, Fair Trade chocolate and snacks may be sold in the canteen, or school uniforms and bags may be sourced from a Fair Trade supplier.
2. Fair Trade must be promoted to members of the school community through promotional materials, such as the display of Fair Trade Association (FTA) brochures and posters in the staff room or the school reception area. These resources can be downloaded free of charge from the FTA’s website.
3. At least one Fair Trade focused event must be conducted by the school each year. Some suggestions for activities the working group might like to consider are outlined in the next section.

Fair Trade Focused Events

Your annual Fair Trade focused event will be driven by the interests of your working group, and the context of your school.  Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Schedule lessons and educational activities examining Fair Trade and related topics such as poverty, social justice, trade, environment and ethical consumerism. There are a number of educational resources that can be downloaded from the Fair Trade Association (FTA) website to support teachers to cover Fair Trade topics in their classrooms.
• Where schools are fundraising, use Fair Trade chocolate or other Fair Trade products. School fundraising activities could also include fundraising for the FTA.
• When the school is purchasing sports equipment, use Fair Trade sports balls. Have at least one of the school’s sporting teams promote Fair Trade by using Fair Trade sports balls for training and games.
• Whenever the school or Parent Group is considering new purchases, promote Fair Trade options.  Products could include uniforms, sportswear, stationery, musical instruments, educational toys and books. The FTA can provide links to certified Fair Traders.
• When considering selling gifts, such as for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls, look for Fair Trade gift options. Your local Fair Trade Network may be able to assist you with this.  The FTA can provide links to your local Network.

Reporting

An annual update, outlining your school’s Fair Trade activities and achievements, including images and examples of media and marketing, is encouraged. The Fair Trade Association provides an electronic template for this report.

Fees

The annual fee for Fair Trade Schools is $60.00 per year.  On receiving accreditation, your Fair Trade School will be given on-going support and updates from the Fair Trade Association.

Resources