The following is a message from Chris Kubik, Associate Professor, Business Administration Department, Colby Sawyer College:
Greetings Fair Trader! Do you have any interest in traveling to Nepal and experiencing Fair Trade in in action? Read on!!
I’m writing today from Colby-Sawyer College – a fair trade college – where I am a business professor and faculty sponsor of our Fair Trade student group.
I’m writing to let you know about a planned course I will be offering between the fall 2015 and spring 2016 semesters. Exact dates are still being determined, but I wanted to give you a “Save The Date” announcement and to gauge any interest you may have in participating. Of course, the invitation is extended to any person interested in fair trade that you know!
Briefly, I will be leading a 4-credit college course on Fair Trade, B Corporations and Cooperatives – looking at history, geography, economics, politics, local culture and religion throughout the course. The course is designed to be immersive – with some reading required prior to coming together as a group as well as some reflective writing after the group has parted ways.
The majority of the learning will be via field experience and discussions on the ground while traveling to Nepal. Exact dates are still being worked out, but the trip will run 15-17 days, somewhere between the dates of December 27, 2015 – January 17, 2016.
The trip is being planned to include the following highlights:
- A visit to the head office of Nepal’s Co-operative Federation and a visit with the current chairman. Local cooperative visits and tours included.
- A visit to Nepal’s first organic tea garden, established in 1984 and fair trade certified, staying at the on-sire guest house at the production facility. It is also run on a cooperative model.
- A trip to Pokhara (a popular tourist destination) to visit a unique blend of cultural exchanges. Visits to a variety of local producers, businesses and markets included.
- A visit and tour of the Nepal stock exchange – quite different than the NYSE or NASDAQ!
- A visit with one of Nepal’s first franchise operators – including a meeting and discussion with the CEO (a young alum of Vanderbilt University)
- An opportunity to participate in a local service project (assist with building a local school, library, or other similar project)
- An opportunity to view an incredible landscape, meet wonderful people and experience a unique culture
- Additional local businesses to be added as the itinerary is completed
It is anticipated that the course fee (tuition), roundtrip travel from Boston Logan to Kathmandu, Nepal, all intra-country travel within Nepal, and all meals, room and board while in Nepal will total $2,500-$2,950. Travel to Boston Logan, trip insurance and passport/visa fees are not included in this estimate.
If you have any questions or if you have interest in joining me and a group of Colby-Sawyer students, please email me.