Fair Trade Futures Conference -- Student Scholarships

Julia Rooney Southern Methodist University

My time at the 2005 Fair Trade Conference has been, without a doubt, an eye-opening experience. By sampling numerous Fair Trade chocolates and sipping on coffee that I know was grown with special care, I was able to see how simple living a Fair Trade life really can be. So, why not live a life that is beneficial to millions of others? Some argue that it is too expensive, but I just compare it to an evening at the movies. Most people are willing to buy a bucket of popcorn for six dollars at the theatre, but when shopping at the supermarket, people expect a six pack of popcorn for $2.50. If we are willing to splurge on extra comforts for ourselves, why not splurge where it counts?

Here at the conference I have had many opportunities to network and get information from people just as interested in Fair Trade as me. I now know where I can buy Fair Trade jewelry, clothing, and vegetables. I can hardly wait for Christmas to come around so I can shop Fair Trade for my family and friends.

The most influential part of the conference for me would be the seminars. With six seminar times scheduled, with over five or six seminars to choose from, I was always able to find a discussion that suited me, a student. Although some of the information might have been a bit advanced for me, it only made me more convinced that I want to be involved in Fair Trade this deeply when I am an adult consumer. From these seminars I was able to gain ideas and support for the Fair Trade Fashion show I am holding at my university, such as how to engage and teach the students around my campus about Fair Trade and what type of clothing we might display. Also, since the fashion show I wish to put on is Catholic sponsored, I was given idea as how to approach the religious aspects of Fair Trade. Although I understand you don’t have to be spiritual to appreciate and support Fair Trade, I do recognize that many relate social justice to their faith and as a way of expressing it.

Although this was just a weekend conference I feel as if I can return to my school with many ideas and more information about Fair Trade than I ever thought possible. If someone asked me what the one thing this conference has changed about my life that I didn’t expect it to, I would tell them this: I can never drink conventionally traded coffee again without feeling complete guilt. But, I defiantly don’t regret that.

Julia Rooney Southern Methodist University