Responsible Consumption Week 2005

The inaugural event was a success! RCW '05 brought together campus groups including:

• Student Environment Centre,
• Oxfam UBC,
• UBC Food Co-op,
• UBC Sustainability Office and Sustainability Ambassadors, and
• Alma Mater Society Food and Beverage Services.

The week included several speakers, movie showings, workshops and more. The events generated enthusiasm on campus which was made possible by a large, dedicated group of volunteers. At the fair, the Student Environment Centre and the campus organic and fair trade store 'Sprouts' sold items in the Student Union Building concourse. Business was good, and the extra visibility brought new customers to Sprouts.

Responsible Consumption Week 2006

The energy from year 1 made for an RCW'06 that reached out to even more of the campus community. Campus groups helped to make the week a huge success. They collaborated with the RCW crew to put on a wide range of events. RCW'06 included a sustainability tour of UBC, a bike parade, student-run workshops on sweat shop labour, responsible shopping, and food choices, and a panel discussion on corporate responsibility. A popular event was Oxfam's Play-Fair Soccer Demo, which brought home the injustice of international trade. See here for a complete schedule of last year's week.

RCW'06 also hosted the first UBC Vote With Your Dollar Fair. The day-long event took the SUB's main concourse by storm. It showcased businesses, not-for-profit organisations, and campus groups that provide Vancouverites with goods and services in a spirit of social and environmental responsibility. For a list of last year's exhibitors see here.

Responsible Consumption Week 2007

RCW '07 built on the lessons and achievements of the previous two years to put on a very successful week. Campus groups and individuals worked with the RCW executive to put on events that drew in unprecedented crowds. These events included the Sprouts' all organic 'Iron Chef Wrap' competition, the Sustainability Ambassadors' Film Festival, and Oxfam and the Working World's screening of 'The Take' followed by a videoconference with the documentary's creator, Avi Lewis. As in previous years, RCW '07 hosted a thought-provoking keynote speech and a lively panel discussion. See here for the speaker series topics and the complete RCW '07 schedule.

RCW '07 also hosted the second annual Vote With Your Dollar Fair (VWYDF), a unique event on campus! The VWYDF is a two-day trade fair that features and celebrates local businesses and non-profit groups operating on principles of ecological and social responsibility. It allows the UBC community to explore alternative goods and services within a familiar setting, ask questions, and discover the power of their economic vote. For a list of VWYDF '07 exhibitors, see here.

Responsible Consumption Week's past success is due to the collaboration of wonderful organizations both on and off-campus, the dedication and enthusiasm of the organizing team, and the cross-cutting reach of the events, speakers, and discussions. We hope to build on that legacy again!

Responsible Consumption Week 2008

RCW '08 improved even more in its third year to put on a very successful week. Campus groups and individuals worked together to create special events to celebrate the week such as Tupperware Lottery, UBC Improv's "Sustainability" show, "Hunt for Sustainability" Photo Scavenger Hunt, OXfam "No Sweat" Fashion Show, etc. As in previous years, RCW '08 hosted a thought-provoking keynote speech and a lively panel discussion. See here for the speaker series topics and the complete RCW '08 schedule.

RCW '08 also hosted the third annual Vote With Your Dollar Fair (VWYDF), a unique tradeshow on campus to promote local business and non-profit groups operating on principles of ecological and social responsibility. It allows the UBC community to explore alternative goods and services within a familiar setting, ask questions, and discover the power of their economic vote. For a list of VWYDF '08 exhibitors, see here.



Be sure to check out RCW 2009!