“The Future of Development Cooperation in the Cacao-Chocolate Industry” is the theme of an encounter planned for 22 June at 11:00 at the Cacao-Chocolate Cluster for which Eurochocolate in the Official Provider.
The area dedicated to the “food of the gods” is intended to contribute to developing the theme “Nourish the Planet, Energy for Life” by proposing initiatives aimed at current concerns. The Directorate General for Development Cooperation (DGCS) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development (MFAIC), Eurochocolate and Fairtrade Italian are promoting the meeting, in collaboration with the Italy- Latin American Institute (IILA) and the European Commission.
Fostering dialogue and encounter
The intention is to foster dialogue and encounter among principal development actors, both public and private, which, in the informal setting of a Bar Camp, will exchange experiences and visions of the future of cooperation in this industry. Speakers will include: DGCS EXPO coordinator Cristiano Maggipinto, Fairtrade Italia Director Paolo Pastore, who will speak about “Fairtrade cocoa: a positive energy for people and planet” and later give the floor to Costance Kouadio, Head of Communications for the Ivory Coast at EXPO Milano 2015. Prof. Antonella Mori of the Bocconi University will explore the topic “Cacao in Bolivia: an example of sustainable production”. “From Cacao Chocolate: Italo-Latin American network” will be the focus of IILA Socio-Economic Secretary Jose Luis Rhi-Sausi, while Prof. Gian Carlo Di Renzo, President of the International Society of Chocolate and Cocoa in Medicine (ISCHOM), will confront “Cocoa, Chocolate and Health”. Alice Fanti, Head of the Cefa Onlus project will address “Development of cocoa and coffee value chains as a strategy for poverty reduction: which are the midterm perspectives?”, and Maria Teresa Gatti, Head of Communications for the AVSI Foundation, will look at “Perù, the anti-narcos revolt of the cacao growers”.
A direct exchange between cacao producers present at EXPO
The event, one of a full calendar of initiatives organised by the Italian Development Cooperation, also within the framework of the European Year of Development, will help to foster a direct exchange between cacao producer countries present at EXPO, both in terms of projects already funded and those that could be launched in the future.
