All students on this team are part of the business and society, social economy stream at York University.

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Parania Mohanathasan

Hi everyone! My name is Parania Mohanathasan, and I am currently in my 3^rdyear at York University in the Honours Bachelor of Business and Society. I am specializing in the social economy and the firm & organization streams. I have always been passionate about understanding how businesses can contribute to social change and community well-being. Working for an NGO has always been adream for me and this internship is something I have been looking forward for. Throughout my time at York, I have actively participated in initiatives that promote social justice and sustainability, which is why the GCC became my first choice. Its missions to promote fair trade and build an environmentally conscious campus aligns perfectly with my values. I believe that being mindful of where and how we purchase products can empower farmers and workers create a voice for themselves. By applying my experiences in customer service and digital marketing, I hope to help advance GCC’s mission and contribute to making York a more ethical and socially responsible campus. Click here to see Parania’s LinkedIn!

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Barka Silim

Hello everyone! My name is Barka Silim. I'm in my 4th year at York University in the Honours Bachelor of Business and Society program and specializing in 2 streams, The Social Economy and The Firm & Organisation. I've always been interested in creating a better community in terms of social justice which I've participated in throughout my university years. The GCC stuck out to me as it prioritises encouraging and educating individuals on fair trade and continues to grow our environmentally friendly campus. It's important to know what and where you're purchasing your products from as it significantly impacts the farmers and workers by giving them a better, sustainable life. I aim to use my skills from the past, whether that's customer service or digital marketing skills to promote the GCC mission. I'm looking forward to furthering my education and participating in making York a more sustainable campus that encourages social justice and creates a difference in people's lives to make ethical decisions. Click here to see Barka’s LinkedIn!

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Abiram Manoharan

Hi everyone! My name is Abiram, and I’m in my fourth year of Business and Society. I’m really excited to work with Green Campus Cooperative this year and to see how sustainability connects with community health care, both in health care settings and in our daily lives. Green Campus Co-op is a nonprofit that supports fair trade, ethical sourcing, and environmental sustainability. I think it’s a great place to learn about these values through hands-on experience. This year, I want to find out more about how the Green Campus Co-op group makes a positive impact on the world and the environment. I believe it’s important to know where our products come from and how our choices affect farmers and workers around the globe. By supporting fair trade, we help build stronger communities and create a more sustainable, fairer system. I’m looking forward to using my communication and digital marketing skills to support Green Campus Co-op’s goal of building a fair and environmentally responsible campus. I hope to learn a lot and help make York a community that values sustainability, fairness, and ethical choices.

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Rebecca Colantonio

Hello, my name is Rebecca Colantonio. I'm currently a fourth year BUSO major and I chose to specialize within the social economy as well as law and governance. What I’ve learned so far is how important community lead alternatives can be within society. I’m excited to work with Green Campus Cooperative as I can further my knowledge and experiences within the social economy and see first-hand how to be a part of these solutions. Specifically, fair trade is an alternative solution that many individuals are unaware of and I’m excited to be able to be a part of something that will spread awareness and hopefully get more individuals to be involved in social change.

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SeungHyun (Sam) Kim

Hi everyone—I’m Seung Hyun (Sam) Kim, a 4th-year Business & Society student at York University concentrating in Social Economy and The Firm &Organization. I’m joining Green Campus Cooperative to get hands-on with how co-ops actually run: setting priorities, sourcing responsibly, and engaging stakeholders on campus. I’m especially interested in how a university—because of its size and visibility—can nudge markets toward fairer outcomes without sacrificing quality or affordability for students.

Fair trade changed how I look at everyday items. A banana or a T-shirt isn’t just a price tag; it’s a policy choice that affects farmers’ incomes, workplace safety, and local ecosystems. What stands out to me is the combination of standards and voice—living income benchmarks, community premiums, and democratic participation that lets producers influence the rules that shape their work. At GCC, I want to help translate those ideas into concrete actions at York: clearer labeling, vendor partnerships, and student campaigns that make the “fair” option the easy, default option.

This year I’m hoping to contribute on three fronts: (1) procurement research that maps where we can switch to certified products with real impact; (2) storytelling that connects products to people and places; and (3) social media experiments that turn passive interest into repeat choices. If we can show students that one switch—coffee, cotton, or produce—has measurable effects, we can build momentum for a campus culture that backs social justice and sustainability, day after day.

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Below are pictures of the students' participation during the Fair Trade Conference at York University in October 2025.

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