World Fair Trade Day, a day of celebration and awareness of fair trade initiatives organized by Fair Trade Campaigns on May 14, is the perfect opportunity to highlight some of the wonderful work Catholic organizations do around fair trade and making it accessible to colleges and universities.
The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities published a comprehensive pamphlet on Fair Trade and Catholic Higher Education highlighting the work of ten different colleges and universities that have incorporated fair trade into all areas of student life, from the coffee shops and bookstore to becoming Fair Trade Universities.
Catholic Relief Services has many resources devoted to fair trade. CRS Fair Trade has long been very active in spreading the word about Catholic Social Teaching and fair trade, how and where to buy fair trade, and matters of economic justice. For college students, CRS Fair Trade offers a guide to making fundraising campaigns fair trade, stories of catholic colleges pursuing fair trade initiatives, and a wealth of educational materials that can be used on campus.
These are only a few examples of Catholic higher education’s involvement with fair trade and economic justice. Be sure to check out the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops resources on the economy and economic justice to learn more.
How does your college or university integrate Catholic identity with fair trade and economic justice? Let us know!