International Cocoa Initiative

International Cocoa Initiative

"The ICI was established in 2002 as a result of a groundswell of opinion urging the chocolate industry to ensure child and forced labour were not used in the production of their products. Campaigners lobbied the cocoa industry and in September 2001, an international protocol to eliminate the worst forms of child and forced labour in the growing and processing of cocoa beans was signed in Washington, D.C. Signatories to the Harkin/Engel Protocol include governments and representatives of the cocoa industry while witnesses include social activists, NGOs and labour unions."

Criticism

 * Christian Parenti, "Free The Truth: A response to Kevin Bales," Democracy Now!, September 14, 2009.

Directors
"There are currently eighteen board members in total, including representatives from the major chocolate brands, processors and key cocoa related associations and are balanced by members from civil society, including trade unions and NGOs. The Board is chaired by a co-presidency that is shared between industry and civil society representatives.

"ICI’s membership is listed below:

"Barry Callebaut, Cadbury Schweppes, Dignité (a trade union based in Cote d'Ivoire), Education International, European Cocoa Association, Ferrero, Free the Slaves, Global March Against Child Labour, Hershey Foods, International Confectionery Association, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations (IUF), Kraft Foods, Mars Incorporated, Nestlé, US National Consumers League, WAO Afrique and Toms. Mr. P. Gillioz (Swiss Lawyer) is also member of the ICI.

The International Labour Office (ILO) and Mr. R. Zehnder (ICI Treasurer) are non voting members."

Contact

 * Web: http://www.cocoainitiative.org

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * John C. Long
 * Kevin Bales