KPU Fair Trade

The CIR:CLE initiated Kwantlen Polytechnic University Fair Trade Symposium is a one day Fair Trade knowledge exchange that will host presentations from and dialogue between various community interests, including academic (inter-disciplinary), business, political and non-governmental. This symposium seeks to raise critical policy questions related to Fair Trade production and purchasing practices and encourages discussion amongst various community stakeholders in this regard. The central questions to be explored at the symposium include,

• What is Fair Trade and why should Fair Trade purchasing practices be considered by large scale organizations?

• What are the institutional opportunities and challenges in adopting Fair Trade purchasing practices?

• Is an institution-/organization-wide Fair Trade purchasing practice something KPU, other institutions and organizations in the KPU catchment and various community stakeholders should/could consider and possibly adopt?

• Is the provision of Fair Trade products practiced in any of KPU’s host and/or catchment communities (Surrey, Richmond, Langley or Delta)? If not, what are the perceived barriers to an ethical and sustainable Fair Trade purchasing practice?

• How does Fair Trade connect and facilitate community?

This symposium will facilitate collaboration and exchange between, on the one hand, local community members/organizations that may have an interest in Fair Trade policy practices, and on the other hand, kin community groups, institutions and organizations that have adopted Fair Trade purchasing practices (e.g. University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and The City of Vancouver). In addition, this symposium will include participation from organizations (community groups and NGOs) who have experience working with communities, organizations and institutions in the process of transitioning to Fair Trade purchasing practices (e.g. Fair Trade Canada).

On the whole, the organizing committee of this important symposium endeavour to construct an inclusive forum for the fruitful exchange of ideas of a social and environmental justice nature. As such, CIR:CLE opens this invite to all those interested in connecting the idea of Fair Trade to the development of ethical and sustainable communities.