Reverse trick-or-treating

The Concordia chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is using Halloween to raise awareness about fair trade. The students plan to dress up in costumes for reverse trick-or-treating; they will give away goodies instead of asking for them.

All chocolates they distribute will be fair trade. The goal is to open the door for a discussion about the importance of fair trade – especially in developing countries. Without fair trade, labourers are not paid fair wages for their work and may be subjected to substandard working conditions.

In Canada, workers are protected under labour laws and minimum wage standards, but other countries aren’t so lucky. The EWB Concordia Chapter is sensitive to the issue. The organization relays workplace infringements back from members who have shared engineering expertise in countries such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Malawi and Zambia and witnessed unfair working conditions first-hand.

To support EWB and its reverse trick-or-treating, consider donning a costume and joining in on Halloween, October 31, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Vendôme metro. Email concordia@ewb.ca to register. The person with the most creative costume will win a prize. Volunteers will also take orders for fair trade chocolates; simply email concordia@ewb.ca for an order form.

Related links:
•    Concordia chapter of Engineers Without Borders
•    Concordia Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science