Media Release

Bengaluru, Aug 6: The centre for social action, a students’ movement for a humane and just society at Christ University, has partnered with Fairtrade India to sensitise students about cotton farmers and fair fashion as part of their social responsibility week 2015-16. Fairtrade India is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to enable the poorest farmers and workers to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

Over the SRW, students will learn how to incorporate social responsibility within their future professions. Different departments will host activities such as debates, poster-making, performing skits and street plays, photography, among other events. At the Power of You booth, students think about 'Who grew your clothes' and stand with fair fashion messages and take pictures, to ask their favourite brands to support ethical sourcing.  

You are cordially invited to the Social Responsibility Week’s valedectorian ceremony where a Fairtrade farmer from Telengana is coming to speak to the urban youth about fairtrade and organic farming in the cotton belt. He is going to sow cotton seeds at Christ University during the day.

Date: Friday August 7

Time: 4 pm

Venue: Christ University, Hosur Road.

“Despite living in the city, we need to understand that we are dependent on farmers,” said Nikhil Pai, a 21-year-old student at Christ University and the Troop Leader for the CSA. “They are the backbone of the economy. Sensitising the students is the first step towards taking action.”

On the last day of the SRW, students will walk around their campus with empty hangers as part of their “What Do I Wear?” Campaign to encourage more brands to support cotton farmers. The campaign is to raise awareness about ethical fashion.

“The Social Responsibility Week shows that the youth of the country can incorporate social responsibility into their personal style statements,” said Devina Singh, campaigns and outreach co-ordinator at Fairtrade India. “It gives students the opportunity to understand that their clothes don’t just come from a shop – they are grown by farmers. And as the last link in the supply chain, they have a say, every time they purchase a product, they are voting for the kind of world they want to live in.”

Centre for Social Action (CSA) is a unique movement, where student communities are sensitised on various issues affecting the poor and marginalized sections of society. This is done so that they can internalize and personalize the issues and contribute to sustainable changes in the lives of the poor and the oppressed. Through such processes of involvement, CSA aims to enable the students to be aware of the social realities around them as well as impart them with ideas of how they can contribute towards the upliftment of unheeded sections.

"As an organization which focuses on sensitizing students to the social realities of our world, the Centre for Social Action (CSA) is happy to organize any awareness program which will make our students more socially conscious and responsible. We are very pleased to be partnering with Fairtrade India to bring awareness to our students of the plight of millions of farmers in our country. Throughout the week, the CSA and Fairtrade have organized a large number of events and programs which aim to make our students more conscious of farmers when purchasing clothes, food or any products which may come from companies which exploit their employees. We look forward to a successful and meaningful week which will in turn make our students more socially responsible citizens."
 
There are 30,000 Fairtrade certified cotton farmers in India. They earn a better price for what they grow, and benefit from a Fairtrade premium, that they can invest in their communities and their farms. Fairtrade standards also emphasise on having longer term trading relations and assisting with pre-finance wherever possible. Our research shows that in some cases, farmers use upto 50% of the Fairtrade premium to help them to invest in cultivation, such as financing their input costs, like seeds and fertilisers. But Fairtrade farmers are still only selling a small portion of what they grow on Fairtrade terms.
For more details, visit www.fairtradeindia.org.
 
Contact:

Devina Singh: devina.fairtrade@gmail.com; 91-78296-73292

Jerome Boyd Hallan: jerome.hallan@christuniversity.in ;  91 70228-34145