December 3, 2012 – The cocoa supply-chain reaffirms its commitment to improve farmers’ livelihoods and reinforce measures to combat the worst forms of child labor
During the first World Cocoa Conference, stakeholders from the cocoa supply chain reaffirmed their commitment to work towards greater sustainability in cocoa growing.
May 8, 2012 – Caobisco re-affirms European Chocolate and Cocoa Industry’s commitment towards the elimination of Child Labour in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana
Representing Europe’s chocolate and cocoa industry, Sabine Nafziger, Caobisco’s Secretary General, joined a panel debate discussing the eradication of child labour in the cocoa supply chain, which took place at the European Parliament.
April 4, 2012 – Expansion of Industry programs to improve the lives of cocoa farming communities in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana
As Easter approaches and millions of people all around the world look forward to enjoying chocolate treats this holiday, the global chocolate and cocoa industry reaffirm their continued commitment to promoting responsible cocoa farming in Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana.
March 16, 2012 – Industry welcomes European Parliament call to all stakeholders for action against child labour in cocoa production
The cocoa and chocolate industry welcomes the European Parliament’s consent to the International Cocoa Agreement, which will reinforce cooperation between the private and public sectors.
March 13, 2012 – World Cocoa Foundation African Cocoa Initiative Will Benefit 100,000 Cocoa Farm Families
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), the U.S. government’s Feed the Future Initiative, and the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) officially launched the WCF African Cocoa Initiative (WCF/ACI) in a ceremony co-hosted with the Ghana Cocoa Board and key African stakeholders, including regional government officials and NGO partners.
January 20, 2012 – Global Chocolate and Cocoa Industry commitment.
The global chocolate and cocoa industry believes no child should ever be harmed in the growing and harvesting of cocoa.
We are all aware of the challenge and recognise that progress to eliminate hazardous child labour conditions has not been sufficient. Too many children living in family run cocoa households are helping out on the farm in ways that are damaging to their own health and well-being – carrying loads too heavy, working with machetes, spraying pesticides, or assisting on the farm at the expense of attending school. Our work is not complete until child labour is a thing of the past, which is why we are working in partnership with others to accelerate our efforts.
November 11, 2011 – The global Chocolate and Cocoa Industry demonstrates progress towards eliminating child labor in Cote d’Ivoire and reconfirms future commitments.
September 16, 2011 -The global Chocolate and Cocoa industry has and continues to unequivocally condemn the worst forms of child labor in the cocoa supply chain. Since signing the Harkin-Engel Protocol agreement in 2001, industry has been working in partnership with others including origin governments, civil society, and development partners to bring about a reduction in the worst forms of child labor in the cocoa sector. The Protocol has been an important catalyst for change in labor practices in the cocoa sector of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana although we recognize there is still much to be done.
September 13, 2010 – Global Chocolate and Cocoa Industry Reaffirms Long-Term Commitment to Responsible Cocoa Farming Through New Partnership: A new and historic partnership between the global chocolate and cocoa industry, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and U.S. Representative Eliot Engel and the governments of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire reaffirms the industry’s continued commitment to promoting responsible cocoa farming in Cote D’Ivoire and Ghana. The new “Framework of Action in support of the Harkin-Engel Protocol” launched today in a press conference at the U.S. Department of Labor underlines all parties shared responsibility in achieving a significant reduction of the worst forms of child labor in the cocoa growing areas.
May 2010 – Partnership Meeting Release: The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) today began its 17th Partnership Meeting in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The two‐day meeting on cocoa sustainability, held in association with the Rabobank Foundation and Rabobank International, is attended by over 200 representatives from the cocoa and chocolate industry, cocoa‐producing countries, government agencies, development organizations and civil society.
Spring 2010 – CAOBISCO News Flash: An update on CAOBISCO’s cocoa sustainability work with stakeholders to improve farming methods and bring about real and lasting change to cocoa farming communities.
April 2009 – World Cocoa Foundation and Swedish Chocolate, Confectionery and Biscuit Manufacturers’ Association to Address Farm Safety and Health in Cocoa-growing Communities: The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and the Swedish Chocolate,
Confectionery and Biscuit Manufacturers’ Association (CHOKOFA) today announced a new
occupational safety and health project. The “Improving Occupational Safety and Health on
West African Cocoa Farms” project, supported by an 18‐month grant, will focus on farmer
training and development of innovative technologies in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.