Dublin City University awarded Fairtrade status

University recognised for committing to source and promote Fairtrade products

Dublin City University has today been awarded Fairtrade status in recognition of its commitment to increase the level of Fairtrade products consumed on campus and to promote Fairtrade where possible. In order to achieve the certification,

DCU has committed to:

• Predominantly serving Fairtrade coffee in campus cafés, restaurants and bars, with Fairtrade tea, cocoa and sugar being welcome additions.Including a preference for Fairtrade in all future restaurant and catering tenders.
• Offering a range of fairtrade products, including coffee, tea, chocolate and bananas in DCU Londis.
• Being active throughout the annual Fairtrade Fortnight (25 Feb - 10 March 2019).
• The designation is the result of a collaboration between DCU Retail, staff, students and DCU Trispace Catering to promote ethical values throughout the university campus.

A working group formed from these four stakeholders will be dedicated to ensuring this commitment is upheld and the certification is maintained.

Speaking at the announcement, DCU President, Professor Brian MacCraith, said:

"This is a very positive occasion, not just because of the honour that this award brings to DCU, but also because it resonates so strongly with our institutional values.

As highlighted in our Strategic Plan, our mission is 'to transform lives and societies'. By partnering with the Fairtrade movement we are taking a practical step, that turns the purchasing power of DCU’s students, staff and commercial activities into something that is truly transformational for producers across the developing world."

"DCU’s Strategic Plan also includes a strategic goal to 'place sustainability at the core of the university', along with a commitment to address issues of global significance'. With today’s certification as a Fairtrade university, we are demonstrating our seriousness in tackling these challenges."

Welcoming this commitment Peter Gaynor, Executive Director of Fairtrade Ireland said:

“This is a really welcome initiative from the students, staff and commercial partners on site in DCU.

We need our seats of learning to be places of opportunity not just for the young people on campus, but for the children of the coffee, tea and banana farmers in Colombia, Dominican Republic and dozens of other countries.

We believe this commitment by DCU, supported by the students and the USI will inevitably lead to more colleges following this example.”