University in Rome joins Coke Boycott

Issued : Monday 14 March, 2005

"No to Coca Cola in our University" ran the headline in Italian national daily newspaper La Republica of 10 March 2005 after the Academic Senate voted unanimously in favour of a proposal by left wing students to ban soft drinks including Coca Cola, Fanta and Sprite from sale in vending machines in Rome's Third University.

In their place will be fruit juices and fair trade food products. Although Coca Cola will be on sale in bars in the university precinct, this decision is nonetheless a big step forward for the Boycott Coke campaign in Italy. Three local administrations in Rome have already voted to boycott products from the multinational, as has Empoli and 11 other town halls.

This news comes as the campaign continues to grow internationally. A recent EGM in the University of Edinburugh saw students voting overwhelmingly in favour of the boycott as well. Although this meeting was inquorate, and therefore the result was not binding - it is a further step forward for the international campaign.

For further information please see www.killercoke.org or www.indiaresource.org