Université de Sherbrooke
IN-7: Fair Trade Campus

For its commitment to the promotion and development of fair trade, the Université de Sherbrooke obtained, in 2016, the Fair Trade Campus designation from Fairtrade Canada. The institution thus became the first Francophone university to obtain this designation in Canada.

The excellent collaboration and commitment of the University's student associations and partners have enabled it to meet the standards required by this designation. The contribution of student associations was key to this process; in addition to their contribution to raising awareness and monitoring the approach, they contributed to the fair trade products offer by integrating this criterion into their activities. Moreover, in accordance with its sustainable development orientations, the Student Cooperative association already offered a variety of products, many of which were fair trade and met the criteria for certification.

In conformity with the requirements of the designation, a Fair Trade Campus Steering Committee was created to ensure the promotion and the development of fair trade at each of the University's campuses. Chaired by the Vice-President, Administration and Sustainable Development, the Steering Committee is comprised of representatives from student associations (undergraduate and graduate levels), the Student Cooperative association, the student Sustainable Campus group, of employee representatives (staff, faculty) from each of the University's campuses, all of whom are involved in sustainable development. The Steering Committee developed an action plan which was first adopted in May 2016, and is being monitored and reviewed yearly.

In parallel to its commitment to honour and maintain its Fair Campus designation from Fairtrade Canada, the Université de Sherbrooke launched in fall 2018 the first Fair Campus and Nourishing Strategy, with concrete measures on fair trade, organic farming and short supply chains. By 2022, it intends to enhance and improve the accessibility of products, foster partnerships with regional players, and support the university community with its innovative projects.

Web references:

https://www.usherbrooke.ca/developpement-durable/fileadmin/sites/developpement-durable/documents/Sur_nos_campus/Plan_action_campus_equitable_2016-05-16.pdf
https://www.usherbrooke.ca/developpement-durable/fileadmin/sites/developpement-durable/documents/Strate__gie_de_campus_e__quitable_et_nourricier.pdf

Fairtrade Canada
http://fairtrade.ca/en-CA
http://www.fairtrade.ca/en-ca/get%20involved//Fair-Trade-Programs/Fair-Trade-Campus