How Can Your School Support Economic Justice?
No this is not the first pop quiz of the school year…it is our chance to let you know about some great initiatives of CRS allies! In addition to the core program educational materials we try to make available to our constituents, CRS Fair Trade is proud to spread the word about other ways to promote economic justice with young people. Here’s a multiple choice list of some ways to study and participate in Fair Trade this school year:
A) Wear economic justice on your sleeve!
Support marginalized communities through your uniform purchase. Fair Trade Uniforms offers a wide variety of items made to your school’s specifications.
B) Teach with Fair Trade Lesson Plans!
In addition to the ideas and modules you’ll find on this website, simulate elementary school students’ hunger for learning with Global Exchange’s clever, multi-dimensional classroom resource that can be adapted to satisfy a variety of curricula standards. At FTRN.org teachers can also access a clearinghouse of Fair Trade curricula, offering a range of lesson plans for K-12, covering various disciplines.
C) Play Fair During Recess and Gym with Fair Trade Sports Balls!
A full line of sports balls–certified Fair Trade and eco-friendly–are now available from Fair Trade Sports, including balls for soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, rugby, and futsal.
D) Fundraise While Supporting Communities in the Developing World!
Participants in our Raise Money Right project know how fun and rewarding it is to use Fair Trade products to raise funds for special projects. Global Goods Partners offers an educational, socially responsible, and fair trade fundraising tool too.
E) Put Your Best Foot Forward with Fair Trade Sneakers!
I proudly wear No Sweat hightops on “casual Fridays” here at CRS and was delighted to learn that the Ethletic sneaker collection is now available for students in the US from the Autonomie Project, a new Fair Trade fashion and footwear company.
So if I were to quiz you about Fair Trade in schools, your answer could be “All of the above!” The wonderful thing about the Fair Trade movement today is that there are a growing number of Fair Trade Organizations that deserve your support. Use some of the ideas and contacts above to get your students started!
Here is a wonderful game developed by Oxfam (PDF file) that uses soccer to explain Fair Trade principals. I’ve used this with groups of students ranging in age from elementary to college.
- Scott James
Fair Trade Sports
Blog: http://www.fairtradesports.com
Fair Trade soccer balls!
[...] fall, Autonomie Project was honored to be featured in CSR’s back-to-school guide which encourages educators and students alike to promote the following ways your school can easily [...]
I was studying something else about this on another blog. Interesting. Your position on it is diametrically contradicted to what I read originally. I am still mulling over the different points of view, but I’m leaning heavily toward yours. And regardless, that’s what is so superb about modern democracy and the marketplace of thoughts online.