The University of Valencia has signed an agreement to promote fair trade. The Governing Council approved, during the last session held by the end of 2012, an agreement to support the international trade model based on values and principles of equity, respect, sustainability and solidarity. As an educational institution, the university considers that it is under its obligation to contribute to a more sustainable model to make it possible a life with dignity and a decent work, as well as to guarantee the access to enough resources for the well-being of future generations.
The Vice-Principal for Sustainability, Campus and Planning, Clara Martínez, explains that fair trading and responsible consumption are priorities of the transversal project Sustainable Campus of the University of Valencia, integrated within the working line of social commitment and participation. “Before signing this agreement, various actions have been carried out in order to fulfil our commitment with fair trade, such as the introduction to contract conditions to suppliers of fair trade, which will count on preferential valuation criteria, and will not entail higher costs. On the other hand, we must remember our accession to the Spanish Network for Healthy Universities”, argues Martínez.
The academic institution wants to contribute to a society with shared responsibility in solving problems arising from difficulties and prejudices that international trade rules cause for small groups of farmers and craftsmen, particularly in impoverished countries, for instance, low wages paid for production, environmental degradation and infringement of basic labour rights, very serious problems when talking about child labour.
Poverty and child labour eradication
The University of Valencia understands fair trade as an international alternative system based on respect towards the producers rights and recognized by the European Parliament as an efficient tool for poverty eradication. These guidelines show that it is possible a fairer, caring and sustainable socioeconomic organization, since they allow a more equitable distribution of resources and benefits generated in the production chain, with the payment of fair prices, the respect of basic labour rights promulgated by the International Labour Organisation (OIT), the fight against child labour, the promotion of gender equity and the respect towards the environment.
The commitment of the University of Valencia to fair trade has also the objective of sensitizing the university community about the real situation of groups of farmers and craftsmen, supporting responsible consumption and diffusing sustainable development models.
Last update: 8 de january de 2013 09:32.
News release
