September 17, 2018 | Biggar, Saskatchewan. BCS2000 received their Fair Trade Designation, and they are ecstatic to be the first school in Saskatchewan to do so! The Grade 6 class (2017/2018), along with their teacher, Ms. Diedra Whitell, worked very hard last school year to introduce BCS2000 to Fair Trade. The school will be gradually increasing awareness in their area, and they take pride in the work that they are doing while supporting workers and producers in the Global South.
“Today we send our congratulations to Biggar Central School 2000 on becoming the 21st designated Fair Trade School, and the first in Saskatchewan.
It’s so encouraging to see that what started out as a grade 6 project to learn about fair trade quickly became a much bigger commitment to the movement as the students learned how it benefits farmers and workers in the Global South. Well done on your achievements, and what a great way to start the new school year by celebrating your designation!” – Julie Francoeur, Executive Director, Fairtrade Canada.
BCS2000 is committing to this Fair Trade initiative, as they have plans to continue and expand the availability of Fair Trade products in their school. They are hoping to not only raise awareness within the school through classroom learning, but to also raise awareness in the community as a whole.
“We were very impressed by the creativity and curiosity for learning about fair trade that students and teachers at Biggar Central School 2000 showed. Learning about where our food and other products come from, and how we as consumers can make a difference in the lives of farmers and workers is the first step to becoming responsible global citizens. Congratulations to all students and staff at BCS2000 on being a Fair Trade School and the first one in Saskatchewan!” – Sean McHugh, Executive Director, Canadian Fair Trade Network.
Products such as coffee, tea, cotton, chocolate, bananas and more are often gathered in ways that are unfair to their workers, such as poor wages or unethical working conditions. Fair Trade supports better living conditions and wages for farmers and workers globally. Additionally, on each Fair Trade item, there is a premium paid. This allows cooperatives to thrive by having the ability to upgrade their technology, build schools or wells, or to teach new farming techniques.
BSC2000 will continue its educational projects around fair trade as they seek to grow their support by, for example, buying fair trade cotton clothing for their band.