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Students go Mad as Hatters for Fairtrade

Students studying for a Foundation Degree in Environmental Education at Bicton College recreated the Mad Hatters Tea Party from Alice in Wonderland to encourage people to swap their usual brand of tea for a Fairtrade brand.
The Tea Party took place in Bedford Square, Exeter on Friday 5th March 2010,  and the students encouraged passers-by to find out more about Fairtrade principles and practices, whilst sampling Fairtrade goodies such as chocolate and fruit juice.

Exeter is already a designated Fairtrade City and the tea party formed part of its contribution to the ‘Big Swap’, the theme of this year’s National Fairtrade Fortnight. The Fortnight is run by the UK-Based Fairtrade Foundation, which seeks to transform trading structures and practices in favour of the poor and disadvantaged. By facilitating trading partnerships based on equity and transparency, Fairtrade contributes to sustainable development for marginalised producers, workers and their communities. Through demonstration of alternatives to conventional trade and other forms of advocacy, the Fairtrade movement empowers citizens to campaign for an international trade system based on justice and fairness.

Student Nichola Power, who adopted the role of the Dormouse said, “As part of our degree studies we have been looking at ways of raising people’s awareness of environmental issues and how they can use their purchasing power to make a difference. We thought that a Mad Hatter’s Tea party would be a great approach to drawing people’s attention to the benefits of Faitrade. Even swapping just your daily cuppa for a Fairtrade brand could bring big social, economic and environmental benefits to the tea-producing community.”

Programme Manager, Catherine Gough, who has been taking Bicton students to the streets to promote Fairtrade for five years said, “I hope Exeter will support the students’ Fairtrade campaign, as although it is fun, it also forms part of their assessed coursework. It is a very important way for them to gain practical skills and confidence in communicating simple ideas to the general public about how they can adopt more sustainable lifestyles. It also compliments the development of their knowledge and understanding about a key sustainable development concern.”