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The University of Western Australia was announced this week as the State's first Fair Trade University following its decision to switch to ethical and environmentally sustainable products in the workplace.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said many UWA staff and students contributed to this achievement by choosing Fairtrade Certified tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar and cotton goods sold on campus.

Fairtrade Certification, through the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand, guarantees fair and stable prices for products in developing countries, which protects farmers and producers from poverty; covers the cost of environmentally sustainable production; promotes fair working conditions; and devotes funds to community investment, such as health care centres and schools.

"Through its Sustainable Development Plan, the University is fully committed to operating in a socially and environmentally ethical manner.  Fair Trade University status is a way of demonstrating this commitment," Professor Johnson said.

"A vital contribution to the University's Fair Trade Accreditation was a simple choice made by UWA staff to switch to Fairtrade Certified tea and coffee in their kitchenettes.

All UWA Guild Cafes serve Fairtrade Certified coffee, amounting to four and a half tonnes per year.

The Fair Trade University Accreditation announcement and certificate presentation was made today as part of UWA EnviroFest.

Enquiries by email about Fair Trade Accreditation can be directed to UWA Sustainable Development or (08) 6488 1700.

Media references

Trish Howard (UWA Sustainable Development Projects)  (+61 8)  6488 7540
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783