An opportunity to travel to India to learn about ethical and sustainable fashion. What’s it about? This is an innovative multidisciplinary experience for 3rd students interested in exploring a fascinating but often taken for granted aspect of our lives. We all wear cotton, but we rarely think of the implications of where it is made, and the individuals involved in growing, refining, designing, marketing and selling these products. We ask, “Can fashion be ethical and sustainable?” and examine this from various perspectives: What are the dilemmas faced by farmers in how to grow cotton? What was the significance of cotton in the development of India? What ethical issues arise when global retailers work with traditional artisans? What factors might marginalise individuals through background or gender? What are the challenges in developing more sustainable business models? What is the role of the sari in defining Indian society and culture? We are still finalizing the detailed itinerary, but you can expect to begin with visits with farmers and artisans at the beginning of the value chain, and to culminate in discussions with experts at the very top of the value chain, including visits to Vogue India and the House of Anita Dongre – a leading Mumbai fashion house. Over the course of the week, you will work within multidisciplinary and internationally diverse groups to research, develop and create a multimedia project. Who can apply, what will it cost and how do I apply? The 2018 India Trek is open to all 3rd year undergraduate students. This innovative trek has been designed by the Business School and the Edinburgh College of Art, and is sponsored by the Business School, Edinburgh Futures Institute and the Department of Social Responsibility & Sustainability, and friends and alumni of the University through an Innovation Initiative Grant. We ask all successful participants to contribute £200 towards the cost of the trek (if this contribution is prohibitive, please contact Rosalyn Claase, Head of Student Experience at rosalyn.claase@ed.ac.uk, to discuss this further). Write a one-page letter telling us why: a) you would be a suitable delegate for this trek, and b) how this trek fits in with your future career development and what you hope to gain from this experience? The submission deadline is 19 March 2018. Send your letter to student.experience@business-school.ed.ac.uk We will confirm the outcome of your application by 30 March 2018. Successful applicants are required to attend a series of briefing sessions. If you apply, please note this for the week commencing 2 April 2018. In submitting this application, you must confirm that you have a passport that will have at least 6 months validity in June 2018. Please also be aware that it is your responsibility to ensure you have a visa (if required) and that this may mean you are without a passport over the Spring Vacation period. This article was published on 2024-11-12
