In January, Fairtrade Germany awarded Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences the title of ‘Fairtrade University’ for the fifth time. A prerequisite for the successful renewal of this title is the commitment to fair trade shown by the student body, staff and the student services organisation.
The issue of fair trade is firmly embedded in many areas at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. The university has a steering group comprising representatives from the Student Services Organisation, the administration, the General Students’ Committee (AStA) and individuals with an interest in fair trade, for example from the marketing department. The group currently meets four times a year to coordinate all activities. As a Fairtrade University, the Studierendenwerk offers a wide range of fair trade products in the canteen, including lemonades bearing the Fairtrade mark, as well as fair trade coffee and espresso. Coffee, tea and other fair trade products are also served at university events.
The various activities organised by the students also play a key role. The Fairtrade student group in Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort organises both its own events and collaborative initiatives – for example, with student representative councils, the AStA or ‘Fair City Kleve’ – to raise awareness of fair trade. For example, students organised a clothes swap at the City of Kleve’s ‘Feierabendsause’ in June 2025.
During Freshers’ Week, the induction week for first-year students, the Fairtrade Student Group, together with the AStA and the student council of the Faculty of Society and Economics, offered newly enrolled students a breakfast featuring Fairtrade coffee and other Fairtrade products, whilst providing information about their activities. In Kamp-Lintfort, as a welcome gesture, students were invited to try their hand at batik-dyeing fairly produced cotton bags, which featured information about the Fairtrade Students’ Group and the ‘Fair University’ initiative. In December, the Fairtrade Students’ Group supported the Christmas carol singing events at both campuses by providing information on fair trade and fair-trade biscuits.
The renewed award of ‘Fair University’ status is to be seen as recognition of the commitment shown by the students and the steering group.
