With a resolution committing the University of Dayton to fair trade practices, we have taken a final step toward receiving a fair trade university designation from national grassroots movement Fair Trade Campaigns.

Fair Trade Campaigns recognizes towns, colleges, universities, schools and congregations nationwide for embedding fair trade practices and principles into policy. "Fair trade" refers to an economic system of equitable trading partnerships for farmers, artisans and workers. It is evidence to consumers that products they purchase were grown, harvested, crafted and traded in ways that improve lives and protect the environment. 

The resolution states "The University, as a large-scale employer and consumer and leader in international education, fully endorses the national community's call to "Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all" and to 'Ensure sustainable consumption and productive patterns' as evidenced by the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 8 and 12) and sees supporting fair, ethical, and sustainable sourcing as an effective way to put this principles into practice." The complete resolution is available in the related links. 

"This aligns our practices with our Catholic, Marianist principles, and affirms our dedication to deepening these practices," University of Dayton Provost Paul Benson said. "We will have fair trade goods in our retail outlets and bookstore, promote education about fair trade on campus, and ensure the goods we purchase as a University are ethically sourced." 

The resolution, signed by President Daniel J. Curran, is the last of five steps in the University's process to receive the Fair Trade Campaigns designation. The resolution and offering at least two fair trade products in each outlet on campus are complete and pending verification. The University completed and received verification of the other steps this spring: creating a working group to implement fair trade strategies; serving fair trade products at University events and committing to fair trade education. 

Andy Horner, University of Dayton vice president for finance and administrative services and Tony Talbott, a faculty member in the University of Dayton Human Rights Center, led the working group in conjunction with the efforts of the University of Dayton student-run New Abolitionist Movement.