Queen's University to be awarded Fair-trade status

Queen's University in Belfast has been awarded Fair-trade status, becoming one of the growing number of universities in the UK to be rewarded this recognition.

The certificate will be presented to the Vice-Chancellor of Queen's, Professor Peter Gregson, and Students' Union President Ben Preston at a ceremony in the Great Hall in the university later today.

The declaration came following a two-year campaign by staff and students who expressed support for the move towards Fair-trade status via a petition, which was in turn backed by the University's authorities.

Queen's had to meet a series of five stringent goals in order to achieve this status. These were: the creation of a Fair-trade Policy, the formation and continued direction of a Steering Group, the commitment to ensuring the availability of all Fair-trade goods in all of the University’s food and beverage outlets, the provision of Fair-trade tea and coffee at all management meetings and the availability and use of Fair-trade promotional items throughout the campus.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Gregson today welcomed the declaration. He said: "This recognition is particularly meaningful because of the strong partnership between Queen's staff and students and the wider community. Queen’s is honoured to have been designated as Belfast City Council's Flagship Employer and to have played a role in the Council's successful bid for Belfast to be declared a UK Fair-trade City.

He added that he was delighted to be part of an international effort that is helping thousands of people invest in a better future.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Wallace Browne expressed his joy at the announcement and said: "Belfast City Council adopted a Fair-trade policy back in 2000, and we re-affirmed this commitment last year, when we threw our weight wholeheartedly behind the Fair-trade Belfast campaign.

"In the 18th century, Belfast was the first city in these islands to ban ships involved in the slave trade from its harbour. To the outside world, Belfast often is viewed as a divided people and culture, but as is clear from this marvellous achievement for Queen's, when it comes to the issues associated with trade and injustice which affect the livelihoods and future of so many in the developing worlds, we can work together."

Commending Queen's on leading the way in Northern Ireland, Barbara Crowther of the Fair-trade Foundation, said: "Congratulations to Queen's University Belfast on achieving Fair-trade University status, joining 21 other universities in gaining recognition for work to promote the Fair-trade Mark.

She concluded by saying that she hoped that the universities campaign went from strength to strength.

(EF/SP)