Lead for Change Blog Universities

Campaign Spotlight: James River High School

August 13, 2019

As a recent graduate, I can still remember that bitter-sweet feeling of wanting to see my friends, but not wanting to take exams. Since I won’t be heading back to school this fall, the feelings I have are all sweet as I think about what our student advocates are planning for the upcoming year. To […]

Partner Spotlight: Ten Thousand Villages

July 22, 2019

Ten Thousand Villages is a strong ally in the Fair Trade movement and, with thoughtful organizing, can be a game-changer in the progress of a Fair Trade Town campaign. When people think of Fair Trade items, they often think of coffee, tea and chocolate; the three classics. However, there are also plenty of opportunities to […]

Bringing Fair Trade to Campus

July 12, 2019

University of California Santa Cruz student reflects on her Fair Trade journey and starting her school’s Fair Trade University campaign. My name is Saajia Bidar and I am a senior at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). This is my second year working on our Fair Trade campaign. I was introduced to Fair Trade […]

Academic Year in Review: 2018-19

June 17, 2019

Now that we’ve reached the end of the 2018-19 academic year, it’s time to look back on our accomplishments. We are so happy to see how much our work has grown over the past year, thanks to our amazing Fair Trade advocates across the country! Fair Trade Campaigns is always growing. Throughout the last year, […]

Campaign Spotlight: Burlington, VT

May 31, 2019

I originally got involved with Burlington’s Fair Trade Town campaign as a student at Champlain College, where I worked on the Fair Trade College campaign through the college’s Center for Service & Sustainability. As a member of the Eco-Reps program at Champlain, I learned about the dynamic approach of Fair Trade and grew inspired to […]

Campaign Spotlight: Arizona State University

May 23, 2019

The Fair Trade Campaigns Regional Fellowship program is special for many reasons. Having the opportunity to work with such a vast network of advocates introduced me to some of the most dedicated and compassionate people, and I am inspired by their work every day. My role as a Southwest Regional Fellow has allowed me to […]

Celebrate World Fair Trade Day 2019

April 29, 2019

Each year, on the second Saturday of May, Fair Trade supporters and advocates around the world come together in celebration of World Fair Trade Day. This year, the World Fair Trade Organization has chosen the theme Fair Trade Innovates. Join us in celebrating how Fair Trade delivers solutions for people and planet. Looking for ways to get involved? We’ve […]

Campaigner Spotlight: Anne Lemke

April 18, 2019

During my time as a Fair Trade Campaigns Fellow, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many Fair Trade advocates all doing amazing work in their communities to advocate for Fair Trade and to highlight other important issues that Fair Trade strives to address.  Among the advocates in our region, I wanted to highlight […]

Campaign Spotlight: Fair Trade Los Angeles

April 11, 2019

I have a unique experience as one of the Southwest Regional Fellows. Not only do I get to work with college campuses, congregations, and schools, but since I am based in Southern California I also get to work with some incredible Fair Trade Town campaigns – including Los Angeles, CA. Fair Trade LA (FTLA) is […]

Join the Fashion Revolution

April 1, 2019

April 24 marks six years since the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh. This tragic event brought global attention to the conditions of garment workers, and calls for stricter standards and greater transparency in the apparel industry. Since 2013, some progress has been made. We see more brands focusing on social and environmental sustainability, and more […]

A Glimpse Into the 2019 Conference

March 22, 2019

The 2019 Fair Trade Campaigns National Conference began in the best of ways: a rapid-fire lineup of speakers from the Fair Trade, conscious consumerism, social impact and anti-human trafficking movements delivered rousing speeches. Later on, we heard from Fair Trade USA CEO and founder Paul Rice, who left the audience in awe after recounting how […]

Highlights from the 2019 National Conference

March 5, 2019

Knowledge. Passion. Motivation. Advocacy. Friendship. These are just a few of the words that emerged when we asked attendees what they were taking away from the 2019 National Conference. In March 2019, we brought together over 375 Fair Trade partners, advocates, friends and supporters for three days of learning, networking and conversation in Chicago. Building […]

Fair Trade Finals – Spring 2019

February 26, 2019

Fall 2018 Program Highlights We worked with 91 campaigns on college and high school campuses in 29 states across the country who have strong relationships with campus administration and food service and are influential voices in their communities.   Of the 91 total campuses, we had 81 colleges and universities and 10 high schools participating in the Spring 2019 program. Campus events reached over 10,500 people–including students, faculty, dining […]

We’re Hiring! 2019-20 Fair Trade Fellowship

February 19, 2019

Applications are now closed. If you’re interested in other opportunities to support our regional work, please send us an email at admin@fairtradecampaigns.org. Are you passionate about Fair Trade and social justice? Are you a student or recent graduate looking for rewarding part-time work? Do you want to gain hands-on experience supporting grassroots organizers, developing leaders, […]

5 Reasons to Attend the 2019 National Conference

February 13, 2019

On March 1, we’ll welcome over 350 Fair Trade advocates and supporters to Chicago, representing businesses and NGOs, farms and cooperatives, Fair Trade campuses and communities, and more. We’re still feeling the energy and inspiration from the 2018 National Conference, and we can’t wait to bring this community back together to continue driving conscious consumerism […]

#FTConf2019 Partner Spotlight: Nonprofit Leadership Alliance

February 4, 2019

 The following is a guest post from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, a partner organization and co-host of the Career Fair & Expo at the 2019 Fair Trade Campaigns National Conference. Who We Are In 2014, Fair Trade Campaigns joined the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance as a National Workforce Partner. The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance is a network of colleges, […]

Campaigner Spotlight: Anne Michele-Boyle

February 1, 2019

As one of the Fair Trade Campaigns Fellows in the Great Lakes Region, I get to meet and speak with with so many wonderful people through my work. Along this journey I have had the pleasure of getting to know Anne-Michele Boyle, a teacher at Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, who is working in […]

Share the Love: Valentine’s Day 2019

January 4, 2019

On February 14, many of us take time to show a little extra love to the special people in our lives. This year, we invite you to share the love with the farmers, workers and artisans behind your favorite Valentine’s Day gifts. Give Fair Trade flowers, chocolate and greeting cards (find discounts from our partners below!) or send […]