RATIONALE FOR FTI PROGRAM:

John Carroll University’s Campus Ministry would like to continue enhancing the peer-to-peer method of educating about fair trade and marketing products on campus.  Campus Ministry has numerous programs related to fair trade facilitated by full-time staff, but these programs only reach students already engaged with Campus Ministry activities. To truly reach a wider range of students a peer-to-peer approach is needed.

Student interns will be empowered to serve as advocates and promoters of fair trade through contact with students in residence halls, dining halls, classrooms, on Facebook, and many other places that university faculty and administrators have minimal access. In addition, students are much more likely to engage in a socially conscious buying mindset if they see their peers committed and doing the same.

FUNDING:

John Carroll University Campus Ministry has received funding for two years from Catholic Relief Services' (CRS) Fair Trade Fund.

OUTCOMES OF THE FAIR TRADE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM:

John Carroll University students will:

• Develop a greater awareness for the Fair Trade movement (including fair trade drinks, foods, clothing, sporting equipment, etc.)
• Develop a greater understanding of the relationship between faith and consumer choices, the social and environmental impacts of these choices
• Upon graduation make more socially and environmentally conscious consumer choices

The Fair Trade Product market will:

• Continue to grow on John Carroll’s campus through the sale of Equal Exchange Fair Trade products and products purchased through Aramark Dining (JCU’s Food Service Provider)
• Be expanded to offer JCU students, faculty, and staff greater opportunity to purchase fair trade clothing, sporting equipment, etc.
• Be expanded through awareness which encourages JCU community members to purchase fair trade products off-campus as well
• Develop a strong commitment to the Fair Trade movement and strengthen their personal sense of the relationship between their faith and commitment to social justice
• Develop a broad knowledge of fair trade products and history
• Develop organizing skills applicable in other faith-based organizing effort

The Fair Trade interns will:

• Develop a strong commitment to the Fair Trade movement and strengthen their personal sense of the relationship between their faith and commitment to social justice
• Develop a broad knowledge of fair trade products and history
• Develop organizing skills applicable in other faith-based organizing efforts

Meet the 2008-2009 Fair Trade Interns