We have some amazing news to share!
As of June 2018, SBA has become the FIRST FAIR TRADE Designated school in the York Catholic District School Board! 20th in Canada!
Fair trade is an initiative that promotes livable wages, decent working conditions and fair prices for farmers and workers in various industries around the world. From cocoa and coffee, to sugar and cotton, many consumer goods rely on the exploitation of workers and their environments to gain profit. Alternatively, supporting Fair Trade means supporting the development of thriving farmer and worker communities that have more control over their futures while protecting the environment in which they live and work.
As a Catholic community, we at SBA support Fair Trade because it is an opportunity to put our faith into action. By supporting the rights of farmers and workers in the global south, we stand in solidarity with them, we ensure their dignity, promote economic justice, preferential treatment of the poor, the common good of all, while supporting the stewardship of God’s creation.
SBA’s Social Justice council, Luke 4:18 and their leading teachers began the Fair Trade initiative last year. In that time we:
- Established a Fair Trade committee made of students, teachers, admin and guest speakers
- Held Fair Trade Awareness Weeks (Banner Signing, Distribution of Education materials & buttons, Video, Selling of Fair Trade products including chocolate dipped bananas, Coffee, Hot Chocolate, Teas, and Iced Coffee)
- Permanently switched over to Fair Trade Teas and Coffee in our Cafeteria
- Purchased Fair Trade T-Shirts for our council and for our humanitarian trip to Peru from Assisi Garments (An organization and factory founded by Franciscan nuns in 1994 to create a livelihood for 300 underprivileged women & nearly 120 physically challenged people in S. India with fair trade wages, health care & other benefits)
- Had teachers in different subjects teach about it in their classrooms
- Gave a presentation to Parent Council who gave their full support, and will be offering fair trade teas / coffee our future meetings
- Held meetings with students and teacher leaders from other schools to encourage them to become Fair Trade
SBA will continue to commit to our FAIR TRADE initiative each year to ensure that FAIR TRADE products are sold in our school while raising awareness through events and teaching about in our classrooms.
SBA is the 3rd high school in Ontario, 1st school in YCDSB to become FAIR TRADE Designated. The good news is that more and more Elementary schools, High Schools and University Campuses across Canada are becoming Fair Trade Institutions! SBA has become a model Fair Trade school and we encourage more schools to join us in becoming Fair Trade Designated.
SBA is thrilled to have received this Fair Trade Designation and even more excited to know that our purchases are supporting workers and producers of the Global South.
A special thanks to:
Luke 4:18 Members & Exec Team: Mandy Lau, Peyton Clapperton, Isabel Simpliciano, Justina Yu, Samantha Hudson, Angelo Mirando, Angel Abraham
Teachers: Margie Orsi, Sharon Smyth, Daniela Raponi
Admin: Eugene Pivato, Christine Cosentino, Christian Scenna, Dan Bruni
Expert Panel: Anthony Muhitch (Retired Teacher) & Darryl Reed (York University Professor – Green Campus Coop)
Fairtrade Canada: fairtrade.ca
Canadian Fair Trade Network: cftn.ca
If any school, teacher, or council is interested in becoming Fair Trade Designated, check out the website www.cftn.ca/programs or contact Margaret.Orsi@ycdsb.ca
Partner Remarks:
“Congratulations to the students and staff of St. Brother André Catholic High School in Markham, Ontario who are celebrating the end of the school year in style by becoming Canada’s 20th designated Fair Trade School. With a strong steering committee, teachers committed to covering fair trade issues in the classroom as well as in extra-curricular programs, and a supportive parent council, St. Brother André sets a great example for other schools in the York region to follow. Enjoy your well-earned summer break and we look forward to seeing what fair trade activities you get up to when school starts again in the fall.” Julie Francoeur – Executive Director, Fairtrade Canada.
“Buying fair trade products is way for each of us, every day, to contribute to the building of a better, more fair world. Becoming a Fair Trade Designated School takes that one step further, committing to educating and engaging future leaders on the impacts of the choices that we make. Congratulations to everyone who made this designation happen. – Sean McHugh, Executive Director.
