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Student to film Fairtrade communities in Africa

Competition winner impresses Sainsbury's judges

Student to film Fairtrade communities in Africa
Competition winner impresses Sainsbury’s judges

Final year BA (Hons) Film & Media Studies student Luke Doyle, 21, wowed judges at Sainsbury’s Head Offices in London last week and won the supermarket chain’s national ‘Fairtrade Project’ competition.

Luke, who spotted the competition on the Sainsbury’s website whilst searching for graduate jobs, beat hundreds of students from across the country to take first prize and win the holiday of a lifetime - a trip to Kenya this summer.

Whilst in Africa, Luke will visit Fairtrade flower and food farms and to shoot a short documentary film for the Sainsbury’s website on how the local communities and schools in Kenya are benefiting from working with Fairtrade, with equipment provided by Sainsbury’s.

Presentation to panel

Only a few weeks ago Luke discovered the 250 words he’d written on why Fairtrade was important to him had secured him a place in the competition final.

During the day-long event Luke and five other finalists took part in discussions on Fairtrade during the morning and, in the afternoon, Luke gave a 10 minute presentation to six Sainsbury’s judges on what he believes Fairtrade can do to beat the recession.

An amazing experience

Luke said: “I’ve always been interested in ethical consumption and always try to buy Fairtrade, so immediately wanted to get involved in the competition. I’d also just completed a unit on my course called ‘Consuming the Advert’, where we’d explored issues around Fairtrade products, so I felt I knew the subject well.

“I was really surprised when I found out I’d made the final though and was quite nervous about giving a presentation, but the judges really liked my ideas about targeting a younger audience with Fairtrade products and taking advantage of the current ethical fashion trend.”

He continued: “I can’t believe I’m going to Kenya, I can’t wait! I’d like to go into ethical marketing or advertising after I leave uni, in fact I’m doing my dissertation on advertising, so it’ll be great experience as well as a holiday.”

Find out more about MMU’s Fairtrade policy.

Published Monday, 16th March 2009