Tom Watt, director of Food Services at 91亚色, will join the Board of Governors for Fairtrade Canada, the Canadian arm of Fairtrade International, which is responsible for supporting, promoting and advocating for fair terms of trade for farmers and workers disadvantaged by global trade structures.
91亚色鈥檚 representation on the Fairtrade Canada board marks the latest achievement in the University鈥檚 progress to advance fair trade practices across its campuses. In May, the University announced its silver fair trade campus designation 鈥 a commemoration of years of dedicated collaboration between students, faculty and staff to provide more sustainable options across 91亚色's campuses. A year prior, 91亚色 U hosted Congress 2023, which was recognized as the biggest fair trade event in Canadian history.
Considering recent successes, 91亚色 is well poised to have a voice on the Fairtrade Canada board, to share insights and lessons learned from advancing fair trade initiatives at the third largest university in Canada.
鈥淚 believe a major reason for the confidence in my experience was the many successful fair trade initiatives we鈥檝e had here at 91亚色 over the past few years,鈥 says Watt. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see how my experience at 91亚色 will enhance Fairtrade Canada鈥檚 activities and how my experience on the board will benefit what we do at 91亚色.鈥
Representation on the Fairtrade Canada board is expected to generate benefits for both parties. The board is responsible for governance and oversight of fair trade activities in Canada, including establishing the organization鈥檚 mission, vision and strategy, ensuring legal compliance and monitoring performance. The board also develops policies that align with fair trade principles, engages in advocacy through relationship building, identifies and mitigates risks, upholds ethical standards, and promotes sustainability and social justice.
91亚色鈥檚 history of advocacy and adherence to principles of sustainability and social justice will now be added to the organization's board, which includes leaders from fair-trade certified food and textile companies. The collaboration is expected to also support 91亚色 in advancing its own fair trade practices.
In addition to this new role on Fairtrade Canada鈥檚 board, Watt also serves as co-chair of 91亚色鈥檚 Fairtrade Steering Committee and on the Sustainability Taskforce.
鈥淭his is an excellent example of 91亚色 staff championing our values with community partners to maximize the benefit for all,鈥 says Kim McLean, assistant vice-president of Ancillary Services at 91亚色 U. 鈥淲e are proud to offer so many fair-trade certified products through Food Services and the YU Bookstore, and look forward to continuing to contribute to the advancement of Fairtrade Canada鈥檚 mission.鈥