Peace, Human Security and Dignity Week
What can we do to continue enjoying chocolate sustainably in the future?
Japan International Cooperation Agency
With high school students, using the example of cocoa, the aim is to raise awareness of the issues in the supply chain of various products, including food, and to think about and put into practice consumer behavior that promotes sustainable production. In this event, young people will present their ideas for a sustainable cocoa industry, and together with guests, participants in the venue, and online participants, they will think about the future of the cocoa industry.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Child labor and forced labor
- Poverty
- Ethical consumption
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | Provided |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | Japanese and English |
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Agenda2025
Participation Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.08.10[Sun]
10:30 ～ 12:00
(Venue Open 10:00)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
Schedule: (90 minutes)
●Introduction:
1. Opening talk
2. Video introducing the cocoa production (explanation of how cocoa becomes chocolate, video of local voices, activities to eliminate child labor)
●Content:
1. Explanation of the theme of the presentation (ideas for solving the issues facing the cocoa industry and passing them on to the next generation)
2. Introduction of companies' initiatives related to sustainable cocoa
3. Short presentations by junior high and high school students and university students on their initiatives to solve the problem
4. Feedback on the presentations, questions about the presentations and answers from the students
5. Greetings: Overall message
Reports
【Reflection】
The Platform for Sustainable Cocoa in Developing Countries, for which the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) serves as the secretariat, aims to realize a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable cacao industry in developing countries through co-creation and collaboration among diverse stakeholders to resolve issues. It is active in this area, holding study sessions and awareness-raising events. On the other hand, it has been pointed out that to enhance the sustainability of the cacao industry, it is essential not only for these member companies and organizations to make efforts, but also for consumers to change their awareness and behavior.
At this event, which aimed to encourage consumers to think about sustainable consumption activities using cacao as a subject, high school students from two schools in Osaka analyzed social, environmental, and economic issues surrounding cacao through a semester-long Inquiry Based Learning class and presented innovative solutions by the younger generation.
At the beginning of the event, a video showing the production sites and interviews with farmers in Ecuador, South America, and Ghana, West Africa, was shown to introduce the process of chocolate production and the environment in which it is made. Following the presentation, the efforts of member companies of the Sustainable Cacao Platform (Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd., Lotte Corporation, Fuji Oil Co., Ltd.) to resolve issues and JICA's efforts as a public organization were introduced.
In a presentation on solutions for a sustainable cacao industry by high school students in Osaka, Tokai University Osaka Gyosei Senior High School presented the idea of combining on-site classes with farm guidance provided by companies, etc., because child labor in the cacao industry causes loss of educational opportunities, a cycle of poverty, and hinders national development. The idea of combining on-site classes with agricultural guidance provided by companies and other organizations was presented. The key point is to provide an opportunity to learn and a mechanism to continue learning by utilizing the existing system of agricultural guidance and providing educational opportunities to the parents' generation as well. The proposal also shared the realization that although we were born in Japan and everyone goes to school and receives education as a matter of course, it is not a matter of course that we can receive education, and the proposal made child labor a personal matter.
Takatsuki High School focused on the long off-season for cacao farmers in Ghana and the severe employment environment, especially for women, and devised a project to create employment for women during the off-season by producing paper and selling sundries by upcycling cacao husks that are usually thrown away. In addition, the idea was to provide tourists with a hands-on paper-making experience, and to have farm women directly involved in the process, which could lead to a stable supplemental income. In addition to developing a concrete business plan, paper made from cacao shells was circulated to the audience.
The presentations by both schools were followed by comments and questions from the two moderators, Chocolate Planet, participating companies, and JICA speakers inspired by the high school students' ideas. Questionnaires collected after the event provided positive feedback, such as “I want to take action myself” and "I understand the issues facing chocolate more clearly."
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
In this program, issues in the supply chain of the cacao industry were shared through proposals by high school students and introduction of corporate initiatives about cacao. In addition to cacao, it is expected that each consumer, including the younger generation, will be aware of the possible issues in supply chain of various products, including food products, and change their behavior to solve the issues when they exist. The Platform for Sustainable Cocoa in Developing Countries will continue to work together with various stakeholders to realize a sustainable cacao industry.
Cast
Moderator
CHOCOLATE PLANET
YOSHIMOTO KOGYO HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
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Speakers
Students from Osaka prefecture
TAKATSUKI HIGH SCHOOL
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Students from Osaka prefecture
TOKAI UNIVERSITY OSAKA GYOSEI SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
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Yoko KOTOURA
Japan International Cooperation Agency
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Takeshi HAREYAMA
Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
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Tomoharu IIDA
LOTTE CO., LTD.
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Ai GOTO
FUJI OIL CO., LTD.
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Peace, Human Security and Dignity Week
What can we do to continue enjoying chocolate sustainably in the future?
With high school students, using the example of cocoa, the aim is to raise awareness of the issues in the supply chain of various products, including food, and to think about and put into practice consumer behavior that promotes sustainable production. In this event, young people will present their ideas for a sustainable cocoa industry, and together with guests, participants in the venue, and online participants, they will think about the future of the cocoa industry.
-
2025.08.10[Sun]
10:30～12:00
(Venue Open 10:00)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
©Governance and Peace building Department
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Peace, Human Security and Dignity Week
