There are many ways to make a difference, whether it be in making sure your school suppliers are free from exploitation or introducing ethical purchasing in a creative way.
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School uniforms
Many school uniforms in Australia are made by exploited sweatshop workers who are not receiving their legal entitlements or a fair wage. Whether you are a student, teacher, parent, principal or part of a school council, there are simple steps you can take to make sure your school uniforms are not made by exploited sweatshop workers.
- Find out more at uniforms.fairwear.org.au
- See suppliers of Ethical Clothing Australia accredited schoolwear.
- See www.changethreads.com.au, who have partnered with the first school in Australia to have Fairtrade Uniforms
Sports balls
In September 2012 it was uncovered that Sherrin and Canterbury footballs were being stitched by India’s poorest children in appalling, dangerous and illegal conditions. See SHM article.
- Choose Jinta Sport for your school’s sport’s balls. Jinta Sport are Australia’s only certified Fair Trade producer of sports balls. Fair conditions – No child labor!
- Email soccer ball brands and retailers about their ethical practices through Chainstore Reaction.
Teaching resources
Are you a teacher or parent who is passionate about helping the next generation live a more sustainable, conscious life?
Everyone has the right to know what future they’re creating with the dollars they spend.
The guide is a great way for students to start –
- making the connections between the wider issues and their daily choices
- understanding the power they have as citizens in a consumer society
- be agents of change by having the information and alternatives to buy better!
Creative and interactive activities can make it easier to engage with the many issues connected with our purchases. Below are some great resources to help people ‘discover’ the connections themselves. Whether you’re in a traditional classroom or homeschooling, this sure beats a regular lecture.
- Have a look at the issues pages for topic ideas
- Use this poster to promote discussion about the issues (“What did you vote for today?” Chart. JPEG format 965 KB)
- With high school kids, try a supermarket tour
- Use the Guide as a fundraiser rather than unethical chocolates
Our resources
- Brand match cards: who are the companies behind the brands? are they locally or foreign owned? (note: from 2011. Kraft is now M0ndelez)
- Ethical schools session: outline and guide discussion questions. 45min session includes presentation and activity using the print guide
- ‘Living with a conscience’ curriculum package – This package is still being developed. Five sessions exploring key areas of ethical choices in everyday living (1. intro; 2. waste; 3. justice; 4. compassion; 5. relocalisation). The key resources are outlined here. The goal is to develop the content for a specifically Australian context. Let us know if you’d like to help further develop this.
Other key resources
- Ethics Matters – Ethical Consumption. Episode 7 of the 2017 TV series Ethics Matters with interviews that unwind supply chains and consider ethical consumption in a complex world. Teacher notes help locate the episodes within the curriculum, focusing on the NSW and Victorian Curriculum, but useful for teachers in all of Australia.
- Cool Australia. Excellent teaching resources here. Lesson plans and learning activities with a focus on environmental awareness and sustainability. Year level specific, from Early Learning to Year 12. All are linked to Australian Curriculum standards and the Early Years Learning Framework outcomes. Filter under theme ‘Consumption’ as a start…
- English for the Australian Curiculum – Consumer culture: Are we being bought?. This inquiry-based unit allows Year 7 students to focus on using critical literacy skills to explore consumer culture and the world of advertising. Specifically Sequence 9 & 10 looking at the ethical consumer. Also see other secondary units, including waste and protest focus.
- Ethical Consumerism (Spinney Press ‘Issues in Society‘ series, Volume 355 ), Editor: Justin Healey, 2013. This book explores a range of issues involving ethical choices for conscious consumers to consider. Fantastic overview, containing well researched facts, opinions, debate questions, and activities.
- Consumer Stuff for Kids (Consumer Affairs Victoria for Primary teachers) This resource book specifically targets Years 5 and 6 and includes comprehensive teacher notes, student activity sheets and links to the VELS Humanities – Economics standards. (PDF, 6.2MB).
- Consuming Planet Earth (Consumer Affairs Victoria for Secondary teachers) This resource book examines environmental and sustainability issues concerning consumers, including buying ‘green’, the real cost of food, smarter transport options, and the consuming culture. (PDF, 11MB).
- Center for Ecoliteracy – I love this website. Favourites are the Needs and Wants activity and the Food Inc discussion guide.
- The Story of Stuff: Great animated introduction to issues. Includes Story of stuff – Story of Electronics – Story of Cosmetics – Story of Bottled Water – Story of Cap & Trade. More at YouTube. Also see The Impossible Hamster – the myth of unlimited growth.
- Buy, Use, Toss? A Closer Look at the Things We Buy: ten fully-planned lessons leading students through an exploration of the system of producing and consuming goods.
- Nourish Life: an awesome US educational initiative designed to “open a meaningful conversation about food and sustainability, particularly in schools and communities”. Curriculum guides, videos, fantastic food system maps. In fact all their resources are worth a look.
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Global Footrpints Trade Game, Oxfam Trade game: Students form teams of rich and poor nations, manufacturing paper goods from cardboard templates. Resource distribution is varied, and prices fluctuate. It’s a simple game to run, but a lot of fun, and very educational. Two versions.
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Christian Aid: resources for teachers and youth leaders. Includes great activities such as the Chocolate Trade game , Mobile phones, Trading trainers.
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Thinking rights: explore human rights and rights of children with this UNICEF activity package.
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Chaga and the Chocolate Factory: Stop the Traffik resource focusing on child labour in cocoa production
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Recycled Art ideas, Earth Friendly Arts & Crafts Ideas, and Creative Cardboard: links to recycled art projects for kids.
If you have any other ideas or want to share your favourite resources, please let us know!
Also see:
- Go ethical in your workplace
- Go ethical in your home or community (coming soon)
- Go ethical in your place of worship (coming soon)