Development partnerships
Working together to bring about positive change – Child labor is a social problem that crosses all commodity sectors and countries. The underlying causes of child labor are complex, and are rooted in the harsh realities of rural poverty. Finding and deploying effective solutions to eliminate the worst forms of child labor and forced labor in cocoa growing will take the global commitment of governments, industry, civil society and local communities.
The ICI, established in 2002, is a partnership between NGOs, trade unions and the cocoa and chocolate industry. It brings together the capabilities and expertise of a wide range of stakeholders.
ICI was established to bring about positive change on the ground. Recognizing the complex mix of causes behind child labor, the ICI has adopted a comprehensive program that:
- Works at the national level to ensure appropriate and effective policies are in place
- Supports capacity building for local partner and institutions
- Implements a community-based program to change practices
- Supports social protection for victims of exploitation
- Shares lessons learned for replication
More information: www.cocoainitiative.org
