Co-op sponsors Fairtrade Schools Awards

The Awards teach children about global issues and raise awareness of ethical trading

Posted by Hannah Vickers | September 14, 2017 | School life

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• #fairtrade-foundation
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• #jo-milis

The Co-op has been announced as the first ever sponsor for the Fairtrade Foundation’s Fairtrade Schools Awards for the new academic year 2017-2018. 

The Fairtrade School Awards, set up in 2007, enable students to learn about global issues such as where their food comes from, how they are connected to people around the world and how they have the power to create change. There are almost 1,200 schools with a Fairtrade School Award, and a further 7,000 that regularly teach about Fairtrade across the UK, meaning over a million students involved in the programme.

Learning about and taking action for Fairtrade can teach students a range of skills, from teamwork and persuasive writing skills to running a stall or tuck shop.

By raising awareness of Fairtrade in school and in their community, young people are able to make a real difference to the lives of the farmers and workers who grow the food and produce we consume

By raising awareness of Fairtrade in school and in their community, young people are able to make a real difference to the lives of the farmers and workers who grow the food and produce we consume. Research from GlobeScan shows that recognition of Fairtrade is at an all-time high, with 97% of young people recognising the FAIRTRADE Mark. 

Brad Hill, Fairtrade Strategy Manager at the Co-op said:

“We supported the initial set up of the schools programme after we worked with the Fairtrade Foundation to launch the first school educational resources ‘Make your school Fairtrade friendly’. 

“We continue to champion Fairtrade and it’s important to us that we encourage the next generation to see the real difference that trading fairly makes. Across the country, our store colleagues love talking to schools about Fairtrade, so this is a perfect fit!”

Jo Milis, Education Campaigns Manager at the Fairtrade Foundation commented:

“We are delighted to be able to work together with the Co-op, who have been such a big supporter of the Fairtrade School Awards from the beginning. Bringing Co-op staff and schools together will help to support more schools on their Fairtrade journey by hearing real stories about Fairtrade.”