In recognition of the announcement of the city of Glasgow's Fair Trade status, the University of Glasgow will host a tea party with an Indian cotton farmer.

The University stamp marked its own commitment to Fair Trade last year when awarded accreditation. The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Liz Cameron, shared a congratulatory 'cuppa' with the University's Principal, Sir Muir Russell, backing Glasgow's bid to become a Fair Trade city by 2006.

Now this status has been achieved, the University will host a celebratory tea party in the Atrium of the Wolfson Medical School Building on Thursday 9 March from 3pm.

Special guest speakers include Shailesh Patel from Gujarat in Western India. Mr Patel is a cotton farmer and manages a fair trade cotton producers group. He will speak on the impact on the lives of people in the developing world of the choices that we make as consumers in the UK.

Fiona Sinclair from the One World Shop on Byres Road will serve samples of the finest African coffee and talk about Fair Trade products.

The event compliments Fair Trade fortnight, where there are a number of events around the city educating the public on Fair Trade.

Principal of the University, Sir Muir Russell, said: "I am delighted that the University has managed to make a contribution to the city of Glasgow's Fair Trade status. Students, staff and friends of the University worked together to achieve this, underlining the University's commitment to principles of fairness and equality. We are dedicated to spreading the principles of fairtrade throughout the University, wherever possible."

Dr Phil Cotton, convenor of the University's Fair Trade group comments: "It is great news that as we mark the first year as a Fair Trade University we can also celebrate the granting of Fair Trade City status to Glasgow."

"For the last year the Fair Trade group has worked with a group of interested parties to raise awareness of fair trade and to get a good number of schools and other organisations, businesses and the city council to move to using fairly traded products."

"A simple choice makes a big difference - fair trade is about making sure that fairness and justice are key elements in the chain from producer to consumer."

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

Journalist and photographers are welcome to attend this event, for fuller details please contact the Media Relations Office on 0141 330-3535.

For more details on Fair Trade fortnight and other events around the city, please contact Fiona Sinclair at the One World Shop on 0141 357-1567, or email: glasgow@oneworldshop.co.uk .

Glasgow University Fair Trade Policy

Fair Trade

One World Shop

First published: 7 March 2006