The University of Rochester Fair Trade Campaign will sponsor a movie and a T-shirt festival on the River Campus to raise awareness of the movement to replace free trade with fair trade. Fair Trade is a movement to improve the standard of living for farmers, artisans, and workers in underdeveloped countries by providing fair wages and employment opportunities while educating consumers to Fair Trade products.
On Thursday, Nov. 3, the documentary Life and Debt will be screened at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. in Hoyt Auditorium. The film examines how the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its policies have affected Jamaica's economy and society, and whether trade policies are helping Jamaica and other Third World countries climb out of poverty. The film approaches globalization from the perspectives of Jamaican workers, farmers, and government and IMF officials. It features commentary from former Prime Minister of Jamaica Michael Manley and former President of Haiti Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
A Fair Trade T-shirt Festival will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, in Hirst Lounge in Wilson Commons. Samples of Fair Trade goods, including bananas, chocolate, and coffee, will be available. T-shirts will be sold with an optional iron-on "I Heart Fair Trade" logo at no additional charge.
Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Sam Boyer, (847) 858-5689.