As part of the PUŠ project - Political Aspects of Fair Trade in Coffee, some students, together with their academic mentor, attended an international research conference on social innovation at the University of Calgary, Canada, in early October 2025 - Social Innovation Research Conference, one of the most important global events in the field of social innovation research. The event brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from around the world to discuss innovative approaches to the social challenges of our time.
The conference brought together renowned speakers, including Prof. Jurgen Howaldt, Dr. Katharine McGowan, Dr. Rafael Ziegler, and Dr. Filipe Almeida, who spoke about the role of social innovation in transforming communities, developing a circular economy, and building more inclusive and sustainable societies.
More than a hundred presentations and thematic sessions showcased research work in the fields of social entrepreneurship, sustainable development, participatory research, innovation in the public sector, and the role of universities in promoting social change, where they participated in expert discussions and established new international research connections.
The conference concluded with an awards ceremony for the best research contributions and a closing address by the University of Calgary. The event reaffirmed the importance of bringing together researchers and practitioners in the search for socially responsible solutions to global challenges.
After the conference, they met with representatives of Fair Trade Calgary, a local non-profit initiative that works to increase the availability and visibility of fair trade products in Calgary and encourages businesses, schools, and organizations to obtain Fair Trade Town or Fair Trade Campus status. The organization operates under the umbrella of Engineers Without Borders-Calgary Professional Chapter and, together with numerous partners, develops educational and awareness programs on ethical consumption, sustainable practices, and corporate social responsibility.
The meeting was intended to exchange experiences on incorporating fair trade principles into academic and research programs and to discuss opportunities for future cooperation between UL FDV, Zadruga BUNA, and Canadian partners. Particular emphasis was placed on comparing fair trade practices in Slovenia and Canada and finding ways to involve young researchers in international projects in the field of global value chains and social justice. We also met with their partner Higher Ground Cafe, which is strongly committed to ethically sourcing coffee beans from farms that use organic and fair trade practices to promote sustainability and community at the local and global levels. Their dedication to the community extends beyond supporting responsible agricultural practices and includes local initiatives to promote Calgary's cultural and social fabric through partnerships with local organizations and exhibitions of local artwork.
The meeting with Fair Trade Calgary and their partners represents an important step towards the international integration of the PUŠ project and the strengthening of cooperation between academia, cooperative organizations, and civil society in promoting sustainable and fair trade.
