Presence as resistance: Connecting service learning with global change

Every year, students in the Department of Global Development Studies at St. Mary’s University (SMU) participate in an experiential learning initiative connected to the “Fair Trade and Free Trade” course taught by Dr. Gavin Fridell.

This involves volunteering at the Halifax Forum Farmers’ Market selling BTS solidarity coffee. Students also write personal reflections on what they’ve learned about Fair Trade networks, transnational solidarity work, and collective struggles for social and environmental justice in Guatemala.

Thank you to SMU student, Hermela Tekie for sharing the reflection below and to BTS Summer Intern, Cristi Jerez for summarizing all of the students’ experiences into the below report!

Read more below (click the image to download a PDF version)