The global tea supply chain, including brands and retailers, can learn from Sri Lanka's recent experience in working to ensure good conditions for children in producer communities.
A free roundtable discussion in London on November 1, viewable via Zoom, will explore how tea companies can create win-win outcomes for both businesses and working families, based on information about the Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business, a project started in Sri Lanka during the recent economic crisis there.
The talk will also share learning from the Co-Creating Family-Friendly Tea Industry conference in Colombo which brought together over 100 delegates representing key stakeholders in Sri Lanka’s tea industry.
The Nov. 1 discussion will cover practical tactics and strategies to both improve business outcomes and strengthen support for women and families on tea estates. Brands and buyers can play a key role in this work by promoting awareness and sourcing from certified producers.
The speakers will include Suranga Herath, CEO, English Tea Shop Organic and Ahila Thillainathan, country director Sri Lanka, The Centre for Child Rights and Business, the social enterprise that co-organized the Child-Friendly Seal initiative. The talk will be moderated by the Centre's senior vice president, Mark Robertson.
The talk will take place from 12:00–3:30 p.m. GMT.
To attend online via Zoom, you can register here.
You can read more about family-friend tea projects in STiR Coffee and Tea Magazine's recent interview with the Centre's CEO.