UCSD Fair Trade Status Celebrated

David Funkhouser, Marye Ann Fox

Francisco and David

David, Paul, Francisco, and students

On Wednesday, October 20, 2010, UCSD was officially recognized for having attained Fair Trade University status. David Funkhauser of FairTradeUSA (formerly Transfair USA) awarded a Fair Trade Universities Certificate to Dr. Marye Anne Fox, Chancellor of UCSD. This campus is the first Fair Trade University in California and the second in the nation! Several faculty and former students (now graduated) who had worked over 6 years to see this happen were also present and applauded. Housing and Dining Services personnel were recognized for their participation and perseverance in accomplishing this milestone. Paul Rice, CEO of FairTradeUSA spoke briefly, saying how important Fair Trade is in helping people in communities (in developing countries) develop their own solutions to poverty.

A highlight of the event was the opportunity to meet and hear from Francisco Ferreira, a Paraguayan sugar producer, all of whose sugar is sold to Wholesome Sweeteners. He noted that because his Association and Federation are Fair Trade there are fewer sick women, more people are working and workers’ rights are respected, the environment is respected, and his organization is run with transparency. He believes that “all over the world young people are joined together to do the right thing for the world”. Francisco has been the president of his Association, of his Federation, and is now running for mayor of his community.

Fair Trade Certification Process

Fair Trade San Diego (FTSD) had the great pleasure of meeting with David Funkhauser, Strategic Outreach Coordinator with Fair Trade USA, to discuss the complex topic of fair trade certification. There is a dynamic and intriguing conversation happening in the fair trade movement around certification, and in our desire to remain informed, FTSD invited David to join us to answer questions and clarify the certification process. Fair Trade USA is a major player in certifying items such as coffee and other commodities and now even textiles. David was able to help us better understand the nuances of fair trade certification. Some other key players in certification are the Fair Trade Federation and an organization newer to fair trade certification, called the Institute for Marketecology (IMO), which certifies fair trade under its ‘Fair for Life’ program.
Recognizing a need to answer the public’s questions about the fair trade certification process, the Fair Trade Resource Network is offering several webinars to discuss certification. The first webinar is Tuesday, October 26th from 10:00am to 11:30am PST and is entitled “Fair Trade USA’s “Fair Trade Certified” Illustrated by Following the Supply Chain from Producers to Final Seller.”
Registration is $5 for each webinar. There will be four webinars in total. To learn about the other sessions and for additional information please visit www.fairtraderesource.org.