Annual Partnership Meeting October 1
More than 70 WCF supporters, cocoa researchers and WCF project partners attended the Foundation's annual partnership meeting October 1 in Washington, DC. Worldwide cocoa research advances were the subject of the morning session followed by a focus on each of the three cocoa growing regions of the world - West Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
WCF Awards
Each year the World Cocoa Foundation honors those individuals who have contributed to sustainable cocoa programs and cocoa research over the last year. This year's honorees are:
- Frans Roselaers, Director, International Program to Eliminate Child Labor (IPEC), International Labor Organization, Support of Social Programs Award
- Myrna Morris, Manager of Cocoa Programs, WCF, Sustainable Cocoa Support Award
- Edgar Thornton, USAID, Africa Bureau, Sustainable Cocoa Support Award
- Stephan Weise, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Sustainable Cocoa Support Award
- Ross Jaax (ACDI/VOCA), Sustainable Cocoa Support Award
- Bertus Eskes, IPGRI, Cocoa Research Coordination Award
Frans Roselaers Receives "Support of Social Programs Award"
The Foundation was pleased to present its first "support for social programs" award to Frans Roselaers, Executive Director of the International Labor Organization's International Program to Eliminate Child Labor (IPEC). Frans was "honored by the presentation of the award" and has "always been convinced and enthusiastic about the cocoa partnership and the very spirit in which it worked from the early contacts onwards."
Myrna Morris Receives Sustainable Cocoa Support Award
The World Cocoa Foundation, and the entire chocolate and confectionery industry, said good-bye to WCF Program Manager Myrna Morris on October 1. Myrna was instrumental in keeping the Foundation's offices running and will be sorely missed by all of us.
Steve Laning, ADM Cocoa, and Myrna Morris, at the WCF's award ceremony.
WCF Supporter Spotlight
Buhler, Inc. is a worldwide technology partner for the food industry and has been building plants and equipment for the cocoa and chocolate industry since 1920. Buhler knows that its success in the cocoa market is "highly dependent on the financial health of our customers," says Sal Testa, General Manager. "Without sufficient quantities and quality of cocoa, our costumers would not have the capital to invest in new equipment. Worldwide recognition of the need for responsible sustainable cocoa production is growing. If everyone involved in the cocoa sector participated in the World Cocoa Foundation's efforts, a sustainable supply of high quality cocoa will become a reality." Present in more than 100 countries throughout the world, the Buhler Group covers all the steps involved in chocolate production, from handling of the raw materials up to efficient processing of the chocolate mass by refining, conching, tempering and molding. Services include the design and construction of complete, customized lines and everything from project supervision to start-up and on-site operator training. The WCF is pleased to have Buhler as a supporter.
Regional Updates
West Africa
WCF President Bill Guyton and several WCF supporters traveled to Ghana last week to attend the Sustainable Tree Crops Program (STCP) Regional Meeting as well as the 14th International Cocoa Research Conference. Bill made a presentation on "WCF: A Cooperative Strategy to Sustainable Cocoa Supply." Many other WCF Program Partners also made presentations to the international audience.
Southeast Asia
The SUCCESS Alliance began work on Year 2 of the plan on October 1. The project objectives are to improve the quantity and quality of smallholder-grown cocoa while maintaining a regular source of income for cocoa farmers and strengthening the partnerships between local governments, universities, farmer groups and the local and international private sector. Partners include USAID and ACDI-VOCA.
Employment Opportunities in Sulawesi and Vietnam
The Alliance is looking for Farmer Organization Specialists for the projects in Sulawesi, Indonesia and in Vietnam. The jobs involve overseeing the start-up and implementation of farmer organization projects aimed at increasing economic opportunities for smallholder cocoa farmers. Contact tryan@acdivoca.org.
Latin America
BK Matlick, Bob Lumsden and Robert Peck will travel to Ecuador in mid-November to assist in the start up of farmer training projects in that country and to attend and speak at an ICCO meeting there. Project partners are USDA, CIRAD, USAID and ARD.
Robert Peck Joins WCF Staff
We are pleased to introduce you to Robert Peck, new WCF Program Coordinator who began his tenure with the Foundation on September 29. Robert is responsible for the technical and financial oversight of WCF programs, particularly in Latin America. Robert's biography is posted on the WCF Website. Robert will be traveling to Ecuador with BK Matlick and Bob Lumsden in November.
Research Update
For an update on USDA cocoa related research, please visit the WCF website here.