Lecture Description
The future of coffee is at risk. Climate change, regulatory environment shifts, a lack of young farmers willing to take up the trade, farming communities struggling with intergenerational poverty - these complex challenges threaten our industry as a whole, and each hinges on a fundamental issue that has been unaddressed for too long. Regardless of what is happening on a highly speculative NY Commodities Market, coffee farmers have real and continually increasing costs, driven by demands for particular qualities, new legal requirements for export and certifications. The historical record shows that the vast majority of coffee farmers simply aren’t paid enough for their efforts and final product. Meanwhile, we all know that there is no future for the coffee industry if there is no business case for the coffee farmers.
This panel, moderated by Fairtrade, brings together representatives from a coffee roaster, retailers and farmers from Latin America and Africa to discuss the urgent need to build stable financial foundations for coffee farmers. In the context of striving towards “Sustainable Coffee” -- industry leaders will be challenged to consider: Are we investing in the future of coffee with the prices we’re paying to the farmer?
Date: Saturday, June 29, 2024
Time: 11:45 - 12:45
Location: Lecture Room 2
This lecture is free to attend with a World of Coffee entry badge. Register to attend World of Coffee Copenhagen here.
Lecturers / Presenters
Michael Schiedel (he/him)
CEO, Freehand Coffee Company
I am passionate about making a positive impact on the world through sustainable and responsible practices. That is why I founded the Freehand Foundation, a unique microloan project that supports coffee farmers in Honduras. Our company is part of the MIKO Group, a global coffee company with over 200 years of history and founder of the PURO Rainforest Coffee project. We aim to shape a new tomorrow for our business and the industry as a whole. I am honored to be a part of this great team as we constantly strive to create more value for our customers, partners, and stakeholders.
Rikke Ramm Eberlein (she/her)
Senior Consultant, CSR, Lidl Danmark K/S
Rikke Ramm Eberlein is a Senior Consultant, CSR at Lidl Denmark K/S, where she has the responsibility of the development and implementation of the international and national CSR strategy.
Rikke Ramm Eberlein has a diverse educational background and combines the dynamics of Business, Sustainability, NGO's and cross-disciplinary projects - where knowledge and diverse, cross functional perspectives are shared and new insights emerge.
When we meet and interact at these intersections, Rikke Ramm Eberlein is convinced that we’ll find inspiration and create solutions together to achieve the visionary goals of creating a better and brighter world - especially when facing megatrends like sustainability, technological change, hyper-connectivity and diversity.
To date, many companies’ global climate action has mainly focused on lowering carbon emissions and developing new green technologies. Yet, climate action also concerns people. It is about empowering people to take part in shaping a better tomorrow, and it is about strengthening the resilience of local communities. That has been the core mission of Rikke Ramm Eberlein through +14 years.
Aske Skovmand Bosselmann (he/him)
Associate Professor, University of Copenhagen
Aske Bosselmann is an Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen, where he has carried out research, teaching and advisory services related to coffee since 2007. Topics covered in his research include quality aspects, agroforestry and climate smart practices, productivity, farmer livelihoods, global value chains, and lately also rootstocks. He has done field work on three continents in the coffee belt and is collaborating with major international research centers and coffee companies. He always has a handful of MSc students doing research abroad; currently pollination studies in Vietnam and value chain analysis in Uganda.
Netsanet Nega (she/her)
Marketing/Commercial Manager, Bench Maji Forest Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union
Ms. Netsanet Nega is a distinguished Marketing/Commercial Manager at the Bench Maji Forest Coffee Producer Farmers Cooperative Union, located in South Western region of Ethiopia Bench Sheko zone. Since joining the union six years ago, she has worked closely with over 21,350 farmers, significantly contributing to the cooperative's success. The union is established in 2004 with 14 PCs but now reached to 85 primary coops.Holding BAs in Marketing Management and Environmental Studies, alongside an MA in Tourism Development, Netsanet has furthered her expertise through recent online courses in CSR, specialty coffee marketing, and digital coffee marketing. Also engaged in different discussion of EUDR and CS3D while being professional bariste, she has played a pivotal role in exporting coffee to the US, Europe, and Asia. She is a dynamic force in the coffee industry.
Monika Firl (she/her)
Senior Coffee Advisor, Fairtrade International
With more than 25 years’ experience in coffee, Monika has coordinated Farmer-to-Farmer learning programs, while living and working in Latin America and has worked as the Green Coffee Buyer, Producer Relations Manager and Director of Sustainability in North America. She currently serves as Senior Coffee Advisor with Fairtrade international. Her cumulative experience provides perspective on the extraordinary changes within Specialty Coffee and amongst ethical and sustainability initiatives. Understanding the urgent need for integrated solutions has fueled her interest in building collaborative relationships across the supply chain and bridging economic and ecological goals that simultaneously support coffee production and farmer livelihoods.