“to oversee and sustain efforts to eliminate the worst forms of child labour and forced labour in the growing and processing of cocoa beans and their derivative products.”

Child and forced labour touch on a host of complex and interdependent social, economic and political issues.  At ICI, we aim to build understanding, sensitisation, commitment and leadership in industry, with Governments and among individual cocoa growing communities to ensure no child is exploited and ultimately, to end abusive labour practices.  By working in concert with communities, we create the building blocks necessary to ensure long-term change.  Changing long-standing and deeply embedded local practices is not a quick fix.  Affecting meaningful and sustainable change must, therefore, be driven by community-based solutions that harness local knowledge, capabilities and buy-in.  This standard guides our work. 

As part of ICI’s overall effort, we also act as a clearinghouse for information on child and forced labour issues and a standard bearer for a new model for development.  Working with Governments, industry, NGOs, international organisations and projects, ICI is building awareness and offering advice in support of the global effort to end child labour in the agricultural sector.