The nonprofit organizations Seibo, Green Sophia, and the Fair Trade Committee (FACT) of Chuo University collaborated to hold their first joint event on March 20th. This event focused on fair trade products and ethical consumption, which have become frequent themes among students and are key to considering sustainability for the next generation. The workshop aimed to engage high school students alongside other participants in exploring these topics.
Through this event, it became evident that teenagers and young adults, particularly university students, are highly conscious and proactive about consumption culture, behavior, and international understanding. We are looking forward to the continuation and development of future events.
Background of the Event
This collaboration stemmed from connections between Seibo’s representative, Mr. Yamada, who is an alumnus of Sophia University, and various ties within the university, including handling coffee at the Kinokuniya bookstore on campus.
For Green Sophia, the goal was to increase awareness of ethical and organic products as a first step in understanding, with hopes that this knowledge could serve as a reference for future coffee purchases.
After the First Event
The event began with a presentation by Green Sophia members, providing a brief lecture on ethics. This included an introduction to ethical concepts, specific examples of ethical consumption, and an overview of certification marks. FACT members explained fair trade, while Seibo Japan volunteers organized quizzes, making learning enjoyable.
During the discussion time, participants shared their usual coffee preferences and recommendations, leading to lively discussions about how to promote fair trade.
At the end of the event, participants were asked to write down actions they want to take in the future on sticky notes. Suggestions included “being conscious of producers before buying products,” “wanting to learn more,” and “wanting to promote fair trade.” Overall, it felt like Green Sophia’s vision for the event had been realized.
Future Plans
We are planning the second and third events with slightly different themes. For the next event, we are considering an approach focusing on how to enjoy coffee and its connection to charity. Additionally, we are exploring opportunities for collaborations using hibiscus tea, not limited to Malawi coffee.
