Introduction
Applications are invited for this visiting fellowship, created jointly
by The Traidcraft Foundation and St Chad's College, Durham University.
The fellowship may usually be held for a period between three and twelve months.
The purposes of the fellowship are:
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To encourage theological reflection on issues relating to
Christian responses to poverty, especially through trade and free trade, which can be used to inform the
development of Traidcraft's own policies and practice and to inform wider
thinking on such issues.
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To provide opportunities for deeper reflection by practitioners of fair
and ethical trade especially from the developing world, and build up a
network of former fellows who can continue to engage with Traidcraft and
each other.
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To stimulate the St Chad's College community to engage with issues of
social action and global justice, and to be challenged by views from other
parts of the world.
The Fellowship Committee will be particularly interested in
considering applicants
who wish to reflect on one of the following areas, but they are very open to proposals
for other research proposals that are relevant to the Fellowship's purposes.
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The engagement of Christians in the campaign for trade justice.
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Constructive engagement - how far can you go?
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Christian and/or inter-faith understanding of poverty.
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Faith-based community economic development -motivations and methods.
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The Christian as fair-trade consumer - arm's length charity or passion for
justice?
Within these five broad areas, the Fellowship Committee will seek a more
specific and clearly-defined study proposal.
Applicants need not have had a formal
postgraduate qualification, but they would normally hold a bachelor's degree
(or its equivalent) and be able to
engage with others at a post-graduate level. Applications from those who
have been engaged in trade and/or fair trade, especially in the developing
world, are particularly welcome.
Applicants wishing to apply for the post should
read through the materials on this site and follow the
application instructions below. It is
particularly important that applicants give careful thought to the
theological and spiritual dimensions of their proposal. Completed
applications (or queries) may be sent to the Fellowship
Committee's secretary, currently
Katie
Oven.
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Terms of Reference
Vision for the Fellowship
Traidcraft Fellows form part
of the academic community of St Chad's. Fellows may hold the post for
periods ranging from three to twelve months, and will be expected to engage in
reflection on agreed topics relating to Christian responses to poverty,
especially through trade and fair trade.
It is hoped that Fellows will be drawn from a range of countries,
especially in the developing world, and that Fellows will be established
academics or experienced business practitioners capable of engaging at an
academic level.
The purpose of the Fellowship is as stated above: to
encourage theological reflection on issues relating to Traidcraft's
mission, to provide opportunities for deeper reflection by practitioners of fair
and ethical trade, and to stimulate the St Chad's College community to engage with issues of
social action and global justice.
Practicalities
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There is no salary attached to this post.
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St Chad's will make available suitable board and lodging in the
College. The Traidcraft Fellow will be a visiting fellow and a member of the Senior
Common Room. Applicants should note that although the flat provided is sufficiently
large to accommodate a spouse, it would not
be suitable for children. It should also be noted that the
Fellowship Committee dfoe snot have the resources to pay the travel by
spouses.
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Traidcraft will provide, through the Traidcraft Foundation, funding for
travel, reasonable living and study expenses and books, and will provide
a computer for use by Fellows during their time in Durham.
Currently (2005), the amount available is £5000 per annum, pro-rated.
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Holders of the post will usually be Christians and will participate in
the academic, worshipping and social life of St Chad's.
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The post will be managed by a Fellowship Committee, responsible for
liaising with Traidcraft on the advertisement of the post, approving the
appointment of Fellows, liaising with Fellows during their tenure of the
post, providing pastoral support and ensuring that the outcomes of the
Fellowship are disseminated appropriately and continue to meet the needs
of St Chad's and Traidcraft. The Fellowship Committee consists of
representatives of both Traidcraft and St Chad's College.
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Traidcraft's Foundation Principles are fundamental to our work and policies.
They represent our vocation and aspirations, and are enshrined in the Deed of
Mutual Covenant, linking the Traidcraft Foundation, Traidcraft plc and
Traidcraft Exchange.
Summary
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Traidcraft is a Christian response to poverty.
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Our mission is fighting poverty through trade
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We respect all people and the environment
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We abide by and promote fair business practice
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We strive to be transparent and accountable
In more detail
Traidcraft is a Christian response to poverty:
We express Christian
principles in our policies and activities, especially the principles of love,
justice and service which were lived and taught by Jesus. We work in partnership
with the poor, disadvantaged and marginalised, whatever their creed. We work
together with all those who share our commitment to fighting poverty, whatever
their faith commitments. We recognise that poverty has spiritual and moral as
well as material dimensions.
Traidcraft's mission is fighting poverty through trade: We focus on the
reduction and prevention of poverty and gross inequality, especially in
developing countries. We fight poverty by engaging directly in trade, by
influencing others who engage in trade, and by developing the skills and market
access of poor producers.We raise awareness of issues relating to poverty among
consumers in the UK, and encourage them to make moral choices as they spend
their money.
Traidcraft respects all people and the environment:
We support the
development of people to achieve their God-given potential. We promote the fair
and equal treatment of women and men and protect the interests of children. We
promote relationships between rich people and poor people that enable the poor
to use their skills to build better lives and the rich to learn from the poor.
We promote responsible stewardship of the created environment, giving people
access to resources, a share in decisions about them, and responsibility for
their use.
Traidcraft abides by and promotes fair business practices: We seek fairness
for producers, customers, shareholders, employees and other stakeholders. We
encourage the payment of fair prices that allow fair rewards to be paid to
producers. We encourage best practices in conditions of employment. We recognise
that organisations should work in the interests of all stakeholders, and not
simply to maximise financial returns.
Traidcraft strives to be transparent and accountable: We report on our
activities openly and honestly to stakeholders in our financial and social
accounts. We expect those with whom we work closely to be prepared to open their
own practices to scrutiny. We listen to the views of our stakeholders, and
especially to the voices of people living in poverty.
Theological under-pinning
Our foundation principles are based on aspects of God revealed in the Bible
and especially in the person and teachings of Jesus Christ.
God is just. His justice requires readjustment of many unjust relationships
in the world. Enforced poverty and gross inequality are gross affronts to the
goodness and justice of God. They demand our response.
God created men and women in his own image. Each person is of value to God
and called to eternity with him. We must, therefore, treat each person with
respect, dignity and love. We seek to develop the wholeness of people in their
social and spiritual relationships with God and with their neighbours. As
Christians we can work alongside those of other faiths and beliefs, recognising
the work of God in Christ in them.
God calls us to care for the created world. One of God's purposes in creation
is that all people should be responsible stewards of the earth's resources,
caring for the productive environment he has provided for humanity.
God is biased to the poor. The good news of the Kingdom of God, brought by
Jesus, is good news to the poor. The Kingdom brings dignity to the excluded,
visitation and release for prisoners, sight for the blind, freedom for broken
victims, food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, housing for the stranger,
clothing for the naked, and support for the ill. Throughout history, authentic
Christian discipleship has expressed a bias to the poor as those who suffer most
gravely from the consequences of living in a world that does not always follow
God's way. Yet we look forward to the day when God will bring his Kingdom to
complete fulfilment.
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St Chad's College was established in 1904 as a Durham University Hall for students in Theology or Arts, primarily (though never exclusively)
for the training of priests in the Church of England. Located
directly across the street from Durham Cathedral, it
became a full-fledged college in 1919 (the second college at Durham).
Though it has remained an Anglican foundation, it ceased directly training
people for ordination
almost 30 years ago. Since that time the College upholds the spirit and challenge of its Christian heritage,
asking what it means to be radically committed as Christians, responding to the global demands of justice in partnership with others
throughout the world.
The College admits
students from a variety of backgrounds to virtually all the departments in the University. The College
currently has 320 undergraduates and 100 postgraduates on its register,
coming from over 25 different countries. The College has
approximately 40 staff plus 25 part-time tutors.
Recently, the College has been re-emphasising some of its distinctive
features by building up its academic staff. Recent appointments have been
in the fields of urban regeneration and media. It has created links with other
higher education institutions, both in the UK and abroad, and has developed an
innovative transferable skills and placement programme (in which over 90% of all college
students participate). In recent years, the
College has been home to an artist in residence, a music composer in
residence, and a writer in residence -- not to mention Traidcraft Fellows. Though St Chad's maintains such
traditional British customs as the wearing of gowns at formal meals, the atmosphere in
College is generally relaxed, informal, and supportive.
The College's academic reputation is
very strong. In this
most recent academic year, over 80% of St Chad's students were
awarded first-class or upper-second-class degrees.
First-year undergraduates at St Chad's tend to be 18 or 19 years of age.
Postgraduates vary in age, with only a few in their forties or fifties -- most postgraduates at the College are relatively young. As mentioned
above, the student body is diverse, with around 20% of students coming
from overseas. Sporting and social life is lively, and the older traditions of an academic
social life are maintained.
Traidcraft Fellows are housed in
College accommodation and become members of the Senior Common Room,
which is to say, they are staff members for the duration of their stay.
During term time, Traidcraft Fellows dine with students and/or staff,
and are welcome to participate fully in the life of the College.
One of the College's other fellows will act as a mentor to the
Traidcraft Fellow, helping them to make the most out of their time in
the College and the University.
For further information on St Chad's,
please see the
College website.
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To apply:
In the first instance, potential candidates are asked to
email the Committee Secretary with a research proposal, outlining how they
would anticipate using their time during the Fellowship, and explaining how
their study will further the purposes of the Fellowship as stated in the
Introduction.
In addition, candidates are asked to provide the following information:
1. Educational qualifications
2. Positions held
3. Academic and professional referees (one of each)
4. Any other information that the candidates thinks would be useful to
the Fellowship Committee.
Further queries can be addressed to the
Principal's PA,
Susan Mather, who will pass your
request on to the Fellowship Committee's secretary.
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