Paul Gore

Xavier University

Project Title:

A Partnership for Fair Trade and Labor

Overview:

The purpose for building a partnership for fair trade and labor is to create awareness of the impact of our buying choices on the free and fair trade markets. Awareness of the fair trade practices will be built through university guest lectures and course integration. Furthermore, the Xavier and Marquette communities will collaborate on creating and purchasing fair trade t-shirts that will be worn at the Xavier University vs. Marquette University basketball games in both Cincinnati and Milwaukee during the 2018 Big East season.

Project Details:

Fair trade is a business model that advocates for increased wages and safe working conditions in developing countries. It empowers marginalized people by building thriving businesses, improving the living conditions, and protecting the environment. In Xavier’s vision statement, our community become people of learning and reflection, integrity and achievement, in solidarity for and with others ( Xavier University, 2012).

Similarly, Xavier’s Mission highlights service through both its academic and co-curricular programs,

By creating awareness of fair trade, the Xavier and Marquette communities will realize the power of every purchase we make by participating in conversations, making informed decisions, and standing in solidarity with our world community. Together with other Jesuit universities and colleges we can promote and sustain developing countries’ economies through our consumer behaviors.

Action Steps to Raise Awareness

Two weeks prior to basketball games at Xavier and Marquette campuses:

• On campus lecture by expert on fair trade/free trade
• Integration of free trade/fair trade topics in classes: impact on education, healthcare, social services, economics, sustainability, PPP, business, innovation
• Posters across campus marketing B-Ball fair trade t-shirts (maybe designed by students/art/CFI, communications)
• Communication projects on fair trade developed by communication, marketing, CFI, social media etc..
• Promotion of purchasing fair trade products (at book store/Spirit Shop)
• Fair trade vendors in Gallagher/AMU
• Students wear t-shirts to Basketball games (sponsorship support will be needed)
• Half time video on fair trade
• Results on fair trade market publically shared – Newswire, Xavier Today, Marquette Today, local/regional/national news