Aberdeen University Profile

Institution: University of Aberdeen Achieved Fairtrade Status: April 2007

Number of Students: 13,000

Number of Staff: 3,000

In November 2005, Aberdeen University Campus Services and the Student Association (AUSA) embarked on a joint venture to become a Fairtrade University, and set up a Fairtrade Steering Group. This group was tasked with guiding the university through the Fairtrade accreditation process, and raising awareness of Fair Trade in the university community.

"The dynamic of working together can often be productive for both organizations. I found I got to know more about the University."

Throughout the initiative, the relationship between University and Students Association became crucial, and the University provided a budget to allow the steering group to promote Fairtrade.

"It certainly raised awareness, but more so than awareness it raised action, and brought students and staff together on a shared concern."

Within two years of the initial decision to support Fairtrade, the University was awarded Fairtrade Status in April 2007. Arguably this was the catalyst for a wider commitment towards sustainability and corporate responsibility in Aberdeen University: an Environmental Forum has recently been established to examine ethical issues such as procurement and waste disposal.

"The main benefit was the feeling of achievement from becoming an active part of the solution, instead of watching the inequalities of our current global trading systems make life worse for the world's poor."

For the full "60 Second Interview" with Richard Miller, AUSA President 06/07, NUS Executive member 07/08 and Scottish Fair Trade Forum Director, click here.