An interview with Eliška Bokšová, a teacher at Hodonín Integrated Secondary School, about the 1st edition of the Fair Breakfast with DofE and the importance of addressing the topic of sustainability in the education system.
How did the idea to organise a Fair Breakfast at your school come about?
Our aim was to link the activities of the DofE education programme as effectively as possible with the activities of the school steering group supporting the Fairtrade movement. As great enthusiasts and supporters of both of these worldwide movements, we have similar aims - to raise awareness, educate and help people - so it makes sense that we want to work together and support each other as much as possible. Our main undertaking was to create an original format for a school event, which was created by closely linking the Fair Breakfast with the DofE programme. This added another important event to the activities that the school Fairtrade group had already been organising for two years, and was also an important milestone for the Fairtrade School title. In short, the cooperation between DofE and Fairtrade has been very effective and meaningful in every respect.
How did you finance the event and how did everything work?
We drew funds for the purchase of raw materials from the DofE Fund. We made a formal application well in advance, which was granted. The students of the social work department in particular took an active part in the event, preparing sweet and savoury snacks containing at least one fairtrade or local ingredient. The programme included, of course, not only tasting the goodies, but also the opportunity to learn a lot of interesting information. Among the visitors of the 1st edition of the Fair Breakfast with DofE we also welcomed the Vice-Mayor of Hodonín and the coordinator from the Healthy City of Hodonín, who appreciated our idea very much.
Do you have any other complementary activities that encourage students to spread Fairtrade ideas further?
There are many events in which teachers and students work together to spread awareness both inside and outside school. These include in particular the organisation of the "classic" Fair Breakfast in spring and the "Tree Show" in autumn. In addition, various awareness-raising events are organised for students not only on school grounds, but also, for example, at the Hodonín Municipal Library or the Hodonín Zoo. I would also like to mention the opportunity to buy fair trade products in the school cafeteria. As far as the original Fair Breakfast with DofE is concerned, we plan to continue organising it in kindergartens and homes for the elderly.
Would you recommend the collaboration to other schools or local DofE centres?
I'm sure. The idea of sustainability is fundamental and important. Knowing what we buy and where we buy it from, how the market works, how coffee and other raw materials are bought, these are essential things for society and the environment. Just recently we attended a presentation of the documentary The Coffee Future by Stanislav Kominek from Fairtrade Czech Republic and Slovakia and saw how difficult conditions are for farmers, how the country is changing before our eyes. It is very important for young people to be aware of this and to try to live in harmony with nature.
