The Child Rights in Business Podcast

The Centre for Child Rights and Business
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Welcome to the CRIB Child Rights in Business podcast series, presented by The Centre for Child Rights and Business. As an integral part of the Mother and Child-friendly Seal for Responsible Business Initiative, this podcast aims to actively engage stakeholders within a chosen business sector in meaningful conversations about the critical aspects of women’s and child rights in the world of business.

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  1. CRIB S2 Ep. 1: A Conversation about Tea Sustainability with the Canadian Tea and Herbal Association

    EPISODE 1

    CRIB S2 Ep. 1: A Conversation about Tea Sustainability with the Canadian Tea and Herbal Association

    In our first episode of Season 2 of the CRIB Podcast, we hear an insightful conversation with Ines Kaempfer, CEO of The Center for Child Rights in Business, and Shabnam Weber, President of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, recorded at the Colombo Tea Convention in July 2024. The discussion explores wages and prices in the tea industry, the impact of human rights due diligence laws on business models, particularly in Europe, successful initiatives by the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, including a global campaign called “Tea Power” and an education programme promoting tea knowledge, and the importance of collaborative efforts to address industry challenges and promote sustainable practices. One of the key challenges faced by the tea industry is fair pricing, which affects everyone along the supply chain, but in particular those in the upstream such as farmers, pickers and smallholders. Fair pricing not only relates to the wages given to workers, but also to the value and price of tea on the markets.  "The biggest issue within this industry, and we've heard this quite a bit is tea is too cheap...Consumers do not pay enough for their product. Our product is used as a loss leader by supermarkets. And that has to stop. And I really believe that we as an industry need to take control back into our hands. And, you know, we've talked about things like increasing the quality of the product, in order to increase the value, not to be chasing just yield and quantity, right? Because that is going to drive down the price of tea. But more than anything, I think that we need to stop, truly refuse, to sell tea below the cost of production, because that's what's happening right now. There is no other product, nothing that you can name me, that would sell  to a consumer for less than what it costs to make it." Shabnam Weber, President of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada. Tune in to hear the full conversation.

    16 min
  2. CRIB S2 Ep. 2: Insights from the UK Tea & Infusions Association About the Future of Tea in an Evolving Regulatory Landscape

    EPISODE 2

    CRIB S2 Ep. 2: Insights from the UK Tea & Infusions Association About the Future of Tea in an Evolving Regulatory Landscape

    In Season 2, Episode 2 of the CRIB Child Rights in Business podcast, The Centre's CEO Ines Kaempfer sits down with Sharon Hall, Chief Executive of the UK Tea & Infusions Association.   Their conversation leads us through the history and work of the UK Tea & Infusions Association, and some of the implications of the evolving human rights due diligence regulatory landscape, both in post-Brexit UK and in the EU. They discuss what these changes might mean for the tea value chain and for consumers, as well as other insights.    About the CRIB Child Rights in Business podcast   This podcast is dedicated to discussing sustainability in the tea industry, particularly issues around human rights and ensuring no one in the tea supply chain is left behind from the value tea creates. In Season 1, we spoke to key voices from Sri Lanka's tea sector, and highlighted initiatives that are creating tangible, long-term impact for local communities. In Season 2, our conversations go global, speaking with experts from across the world on the bigger picture of tea sustainability amidst the emergence of human rights due diligence legislation that will impact brands, retailers and also business partners along the supply chain, including producers.  Please support us by following our podcast. More information about our work can be found at www.childrights-business.org.

    13 min
  3. CRIB S2 Ep. 3: Sustainability, Human Rights and Gender Equity in Tea: A Conversation with Madhuri Nanda from Rainforest Alliance

    EPISODE 3

    CRIB S2 Ep. 3: Sustainability, Human Rights and Gender Equity in Tea: A Conversation with Madhuri Nanda from Rainforest Alliance

    In Episode 3 of Season 2 of the CRIB - Child Rights in Business podcast, The Centre's CEO Ines Kaempfer sits down with Madhuri Nanda, Director of South Asia at Rainforest Alliance for a conversation about Rainforest Alliance's work in the tea sector and some of the lesser known landscape level work they do to promote sustainable agriculture, human rights issues and gender inequality, beyond their well-established certification programme.   Listen to learn about Rainforest Alliance's work in sustainable agriculture, with a focus on the tea industry in Sri Lanka and India, a new pilot programme with The Centre that aims to create gender champions in tea estates and more. Madhuri highlights the shift from a pass/fail certification approach to an "assess and address" method, which encourages tea producers to actively identify and tackle social issues like gender inequality, human rights concerns, and livelihoods. She also stresses the importance of shared responsibility between producers and buyers to drive sustainability and discusses how we can move beyond sustainable agriculture toward regenerative agriculture to restore soil health, biodiversity, and improve livelihoods in the tea sector.  Tune in for this and more!   For more information about The Centre's work in the tea industry, please visit www.srilanka-motherandchildseal.org

    15 min
  4. CRIB S2 Ep. 4: Tealet Founder Elyse Petersen’s Vision for Ethical and High-Quality Tea Trade

    EPISODE 4

    CRIB S2 Ep. 4: Tealet Founder Elyse Petersen’s Vision for Ethical and High-Quality Tea Trade

    In Episode 4 of the CRIB Child Rights in Business Podcast, The Centre’s Sri Lanka Country Director Ahila Thillainathan sat down with Elyse Petersen, founder of Tealet, an innovative B2B marketplace that is on a mission to transform the tea industry. Elyse details how Tealet facilitates direct trade between independent, family-owned tea farms and business buyers, with an emphasis on transparency and high-quality tea. She explains Tealet’s innovative approach, including its decentralised organisation model and open enrollment system for suppliers, which ensures transparency and fair transactions. Elyse also highlights her mission to give tea producers a platform to be heard, advocating for their rights and amplifying their voices in the market. She discusses the significant value and quality differences in tea and how Tealet supports small producers in achieving premium pricing for their high-calibre teas. With growing consumer demand for ethical products, Elyse shares her vision of creating a more transparent and equitable market that values both tea quality and producer empowerment. Make sure to tune in!

    14 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    CRIB S2 Ep. 5: Tom Franks on Ethical Tea Partnership’s Mission for Fair Wages and Ethical Tea Production

    In the latest episode of the CRIB Child Rights in Business podcast, we sit down with Tom Franks, Chair of the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), to explore the critical issues facing the global tea industry today. ETP is a global organisation focused on catalysing systemic change in the tea sector, with a particular emphasis on improving the lives of workers at the origin of tea production.   During this conversation, hosted by The Centre for Child Rights and Business’ CEO, Ines Kaempfer, Tom discusses the complexities around achieving living wages for tea workers, gender equality, and responsible sourcing. He also delves into how ETP is aligning its practices with new human rights due diligence guidelines like the OECD and UN Principles while addressing the practical challenges faced by both large and small-scale tea packers.   One of the episode’s highlights is Tom’s insight into the balance between pushing for systemic change and making tangible, on-the-ground impacts. He shares stories of how even small-scale initiatives can make a real difference in the lives of tea workers, bringing the industry closer to fairer wages and better working conditions.   Join us for an eye-opening episode that looks at the challenges and opportunities in the tea sector and the role ETP plays in promoting ethical business practices. Whether you are interested in sustainability, human rights, or the tea industry itself, this episode offers valuable insights into the path toward more responsible sourcing and fair treatment for tea workers around the world.   Listen now on your favourite podcast platform, and be sure to check out more about the Ethical Tea Partnership at www.etp-global.org and The Centre’s work at www.childrights-business.org.

    15 min
  6. CRIB S2 Ep. 6: A Conversation with THIRST CEO Sabita Banerji on Poverty and Change in the Global Tea Industry

    EPISODE 6

    CRIB S2 Ep. 6: A Conversation with THIRST CEO Sabita Banerji on Poverty and Change in the Global Tea Industry

    In Episode 6 of the CRIB Child Rights in Business podcast, we discuss challenges related to poverty among tea workers in the global tea industry with Sabita Banerji, CEO and Founder of THIRST, interviewed by Ahila Thillainathan, Sri Lanka Country Director for The Centre for Child Rights and Business. Despite tea being the world’s second most popular drink after water, the workers who produce it often live in poverty. Sabita sheds light on why this is the case, explaining how the denial of poverty within the tea sector keeps workers from achieving acceptable living standards and the role THIRST plays in raising awareness of this. As young people leave the industry in search of better opportunities, Sabita highlights the importance of acknowledging the problem and taking collective responsibility to address it. This episode also explores how consumers can play a role in creating change. Sabita argues that it’s not just about paying more for tea, but about understanding its true value—both in terms of quality and ethics. The conversation also covers creative solutions to achieving living wages for tea workers, gender equity, what the future of the tea industry could look like and more.

    18 min
  7. CRIB S2 Ep. 7: A Conversation with Ahmad Tea on Fair Wages in Tea

    EPISODE 7

    CRIB S2 Ep. 7: A Conversation with Ahmad Tea on Fair Wages in Tea

    In Episode 7, we bring you a conversation recorded live at this year’s Colombo Tea Convention. Our CEO, Ines Kaempfer, sits down with Dr. Ebrahim Afshar, Managing Director of Ahmad Tea, to discuss a critical issue: ensuring fair wages for tea workers. They explore how Ahmad Tea is challenging the status quo, pushing for tea prices that truly benefit the farmers, and encouraging consumers to support products that meet living wage criteria. Dr. Afshar also introduces a new initiative focused on making direct digital payments to tea pluckers—an important step towards paying fair wages.

    14 min
  8. CRIB S2 Ep. 8: Simon Bell on Fair Wages and Local Empowerment at Amba Estate

    EPISODE 8

    CRIB S2 Ep. 8: Simon Bell on Fair Wages and Local Empowerment at Amba Estate

    In this episode, our Sri Lanka Country Director Ahila Thillainathan sits down with Simon Bell, co-founder and Managing Director of AMBA Estate, a social enterprise that is reshaping the Sri Lankan tea industry through sustainable practices and local community empowerment.    Simon shares how AMBA Estate’s unique approach—focusing on fair wages, local hiring, and creating opportunities for skill development—has made it a model of responsible business in Sri Lanka. He discusses the challenges of the traditional tea industry and how AMBA’s people-centric practices are attracting a new generation to work in tea. From revenue-sharing models to career advancement for workers, Simon offers insights into creating a thriving business that benefits both employees and the broader community.   More on Amba Estate: www.ambaestate.com More on The Centre for Child Rights and Business: www.childrights-business.org More on The Mother and Child-Friendly Seal for Responsible Business: www.srilanka-motherandchildseal.org Contact us: info.SL@childrights-business.org

    17 min
  9. CRIB S2 Ep. 9: A Conversation with Diana Jendoubi from Tea Journey on Sustainability and Storytelling in Tea

    EPISODE 9

    CRIB S2 Ep. 9: A Conversation with Diana Jendoubi from Tea Journey on Sustainability and Storytelling in Tea

    In the final episode of Season 2 of the CRIB Podcast, we sit down with Diana Jendoubi, a writer for Tea Journey. Diana shares her insights on Sri Lanka’s tea industry, what drives sustainability, and the role of consumers in supporting tea communities. Plus, we learn more about Tea Journey, a digital magazine bringing global stories from the tea world in over a dozen languages.   Learn more about Tea Journey here: https://teajourney.pub/    All episodes of the CRIB Podcast Season 2 can be found here: https://www.childrights-business.org/resources/listen-to-season-2-of-the-crib-child-rights-in-business-podcast   All episodes of the CRIB Podcast Season 1 can be found here: https://www.srilanka-motherandchildseal.org/Home/Podcast      Thanks for supporting this podcast! Look out for a new season in 2025!

    16 min
See All Season 2 (9)

About

Welcome to the CRIB Child Rights in Business podcast series, presented by The Centre for Child Rights and Business. As an integral part of the Mother and Child-friendly Seal for Responsible Business Initiative, this podcast aims to actively engage stakeholders within a chosen business sector in meaningful conversations about the critical aspects of women’s and child rights in the world of business.

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