CRS FAIR TRADE INTERN PROGRAM

For the third year in a row JCU Campus Ministry received a grant from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to support a Fair Trade Internship Program.  The grant, in the amount of $7,500 will continue to be used to pay three undergraduate students to do peer-to-peer education on JCU’s campus about fair trade, socially responsible consumerism, and the relationship between faith and acting for justice. 

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

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

INTERN JOB DESCRIPTION:

Fair Trade Interns will accomplish the following tasks:

• Meet weekly to plan and develop programming and identify fair trade advocacy needs
• Meet regularly with John Carroll and Aramark staff to discuss fair trade offerings and publicity on-campus
• Initiate Meetings with student organizations interested in utilizing/promoting fair trade, especially JCU’s social justice and community service organizations
• Maintain a database of students, faculty, and staff interested in learning about the fair trade movement and opportunities to attain fair trade products
• Maintain a fair trade Facebook site and identify and develop other electronic media that will engage JCU students
• Develop and publicize a fair trade classroom presentation, especially for use in social justice themed first year seminar courses
• Facilitate monthly fair trade program events, especially evening and residence hall-based events
• Organize and facilitate a fair trade speaker on JCU’s campus during the 08-09 academic
• Promote and publicize fair trade products available on John Carroll’s campus, including Equal Exchange products, special holiday products, etc.
• Actively pursue opportunities to engage other John Carroll constituencies (alumni, faculty, staff, etc.) in the fair trade movement
• Actively pursue opportunities to engage other networks associated with JCU’s Campus Ministry office in the fair trade movement