Fair Trade: Setting the standards for a more sustainable future
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 | 9am to 4pm
Great Hall, Rozsa Centre, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
Fair trade is emerging as an important approach to long term sustainability and it promises to bring millions of people out of poverty while setting new standards in corporate social responsibility, human development and environmental protection.
The Centre for Public Interest Accounting at the Haskayne School of Business, Students' Union and Development Studies Club are pleased to sponsor a free public forum on: “Fair Trade: Setting the standards for a more sustainable future.”
Questions include:
1. What do we mean by sustainability and to what extent can fair trade contribute to sustainability in Canada and the world?
2. What is the role of activist campaigns in changing corporations’ behaviours?
3. What are the challenges and opportunities of sustainability in higher education?
This forum brings together universities, involved institutions, non-profit organizations and the general public to discuss, debate and ultimately move forward with this timely and important topic.
Free fair trade coffee and tea will be offered as well as complimentary lunch.
This event is bullfrogpowered with 100% green electricity. This is approximately equivalent to the CO2 reduced by 320 trees in one year or not driving an average car 3400 kilometer.
Programme
Welcome: Abu Rahaman, Haskayne School of Business 9:00AM TO 9:10AM
1. FAIR TRADE VS SUSTAINABILITY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES 9:10AM TO 9:40AM
Why is fair trade important for millions of people worldwide and what role can it play in sustainability? Challenges and priorities of fair trade in Canada and the world.
Caesar Apentiik, Development Studies, University of Calgary >>>
2. EXPANDING MARKETS VS PROTECTING PRINCIPLES: CAN BOTH CO-EXIST? 9:40AM TO 10:20
Is fair trade becoming a step towards competing in the conventional market? How can fair trade expand its market while protecting its principles in the face of other initiatives?
Carmen K. Iezzi, Executive Director Fair Trade Federation, Washington, USA >>>
Break for 10 minutes
3. FAIR TRADE, MARKET DISCIPLINE & SUSTAINABILITY 10:30AM TO 11:10AM
For Northern consumers, fair trade is often viewed as something that escapes the usual market relations. At the same time consumers expect to have the same product choices and with the same price as conventional products. Is it possible to have a form of fair trade that is sustainable from the vantage point of Southern producers and satisfying for Northern consumers?
Dean Neu, Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary >>>
4. THE POWER OF ADVOCACY IN THE ADOPTION OF FAIR TRADE 11:10 TO 11:50PM
Regulating the behaviors of multinational organizations through public relations? What lessons and challenges have we learned from the widespread support of fair trade in North America and how can Canada benefit from it?
Elise Laferrière, Equita (OXFAM) >>>
Lunch 11:50am TO 12:30pm
5. FAIR TRADE: A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MODEL 12:30PM TO 1:10PM
How can businesses be sustainable and socially responsible? Challenges and opportunities in fair trade as a model for trade. The story of Encounter Earth.
Paul Wegenast, Encounter Earth >>>
6. SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING: WHY SHOULD BUSINESS CARE? 1:10PM TO 1:50PM
Progress and challenges in sustainability reporting. Why it is important for businesses to adopt sustainability reporting and a general overview of the most common reporting standards? Success and improvements in adopting sustainability reporting.
Maryanne Sherban, PriceWaterouseCoopers LLP >>>
Break for 10 minutes
7. SUSTAINABILITY AND ETHICS IN PURCHASING: CITY OF CALGARY 2PM TO 2:40PM
How fair trade contributes to corporate sustainability and to what extent will fair trade play a part in sustainable and ethical purchasing by large organizations?
Jim Nicholson, Finance and Supply, City of Calgary >>>
8. THE CULTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION 2:40 TO 3:20PM
What is the role of our university in promoting sustainability and what progress have we made? What role does procurement play in creating a sustainable campus and how has this manifested itself on the campus? An overview on the sustainable procurement policy currently being developed here at the U of C.
Jo Wrigh, Office of Sustainability and John Orpe, Supply Chain Management Sustainability Advisory Committee, University of Calgary
Notes
Official Poster >>>
Video
See promotional video >>>
Acknowledgement
The Fair Trade Week is possible thanks to: The Chartered Accountants' Education Foundation, Centre for Public Interest Accounting, Students' Union, Development Studies Club, Arusha Action Films, Community Natural Foods, La Siembra, Cuso-Vso, Indigo Marketing, Mountainview Roasters and Nui.
Thanks to:
Sylvia Fuchek, Equiterre, WUSC U of C, Cuso, Abu Rahaman, Dalmy Baez, Ten Thousand Village, Didier Gentilhomme, Fair Trade Media / Harmut Fiebig, U of C Media Library and Irene Herremans.