Natural Resources and Ethical Trade Program - Assignment Example

Speaking and Listening Skills TASK PRODUCTION OF RAW MATERIALS SUCH AS COCOA BEANS RELATED ETHICAL SOURCING AND TRADING Millions of people depend on the cocoa beans production for their living as the industry is huge and thus requires a fair trade. Cocoa beans are the raw materials which are produced in the tropical climate. In accordance with the statistics of 2011, around 3.5million tonnes of beans are grown every year. However, the demand for the beans is forecasted to increase to 4.5million tonnes by the year 2020. This might lead to the possibility of people to indulge into the unethical means to increase the level of production without maintaining the product quality. Therefore, in order to meet the growing demand, it is of importance to maintain ethical sourcing and trading in the cocoa beans production (Fair Trade Foundation 2-17). It is worth mentioning that the production of cocoa beans is largely dominated by the West African countries including Ghana which are economically not strong. Therefore, there is high possibility of the people to get involved into the unethical aspects of trading and sourcing. The ethical process of production and supply chain is important to maintain a stable market and price in the market. The cocoa industry has always been volatile as it depends on various factors of ethical sourcing and trading. The figure below demonstrates the variation in the price of the beans due to the influence of the ethical sourcing and trading. Figure 1: The Cocoa Market 1994 – 2011 Source: (Fair Trade Foundation 2-17) The volatility in the cocoa industry is more due to the alterations in supply along with demand, instability and speculation in the market affecting the ethical trading. Moreover, the conflict amid the countries giving rise to the civil war is restricting the ethical trading and supplies. The cocoa beans are traded physically and also in the commodity market. The futures market, speculation and hedging in the market affects the price of the products. The trading initiated in a transparent manner leads to ethical environment. Conversely, if integrity is not maintained in the production, it might lead to the unethical practices hampering the decision making process of the people indulged in the industry causing volatility. It is observed that the chocolate industry practices unethical means in order to gain profit by not only exploiting the labour but also paying less price to the farmers. The labourers are forced to work for hours and are also paid less. Besides, the ethically certified cocoa supplied is less than 5% which reflects the fact that the unethical practices are high in the processing and supply chain of the cocoa beans (World Vision, “Chocolate Scorecard”). The cocoa industry has an impact on the society due to the conventional cocoa trading. Fair trade is of significance in order to improve the livelihood of the farmers especially of the coastal regions such as Ecuador. The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the fair trade associations work for the development of ethical practices in the process so that the farmers are befitted through fair price and are able to maintain relationship through the credit facility. The fair trade and sourcing is important for the people who are dependent on forest. The increase in deforestation is affecting the life of the tribes and thus it is necessary to increase the viability of these people in the global market through the means of ethical trade. Natural Resources and Ethical Trade (NRET) programme is helpful in assessing the environment and commercial needs of the suppliers the farmers. As cocoa is grown in the tropical regions, the tribes might have to migrate to other places or even if they indulge into the production, they are treated in an unethical way due to their low status. Therefore, it is vital for the industry of cocoa to give value to their suppliers by taking ethical decisions which include the corporate social responsibility (CSR) in terms of taking care of the poor suppliers as well (Nelson and Galvez 1-29). The cocoa industry has the most unethical practices being followed which include the child labour and trafficking. The sweetness of the chocolate has bitter unethical story in its background. The children are exploited in the form of forced labour in this industry which is one of the most vital factors regarding ethical sourcing and trading. The raw material production involves the use of unethical means which is a strict no in the ethical business. The children are forced to harvest the cocoa in order to meet the global requirement and are paid the lowest wages. The appointment of the children is indeed an unethical practice as it is against the business ethics and the CSR (World Vision Australia 1-6; Food Empowerment Project, “Slavery in the Chocolate Industry”). TASK 4: SELF-EVALUATION My presentation about the production of raw materials such as cocoa beans related ethical sourcing and trading explores various aspects associated with cocoa industry. I have to the best of my knowledge incorporated all the key issues that affect the ethics of the business. In order to make the presentation effective with relevant data, I conducted secondary research by taking into consideration various journals and online sources to gain in-depth knowledge. I have incorporated figures and used statistical data in order to make my presentation better and more presentable. The strength of my presentation is that I have used small bullet points to make the presentation easily understandable by all. The information and the data represented in my presentation reflect the key issues to the best of my understanding. During my oral presentation, I was confident yet little nervous which I believe is good. I was confident as I knew that I have gained enough knowledge regarding the ethical trading and sourcing. My key strengths were that I used articulated words which made the explanation effective with inflection in my voice. My hand gesture and facial expression were very appealing and changing with the flow of the presentation adding energy to my work. It was well synchronised with few minute errors. I was also interacting with audiences and keeping a proper eye contact. Six slides were used with informative bullet points, correct slide selection and with a good font size making it easier to read. However, there were a few weaknesses in my presentation. My voice was at times trembling while giving presentation and I paused several times although I had the key information. I was looking onto the slides several times while giving the presentation. Even though I had proper gestures and facial expression, I was nervous and concerned whether I was being able to draw the attention of the audience. In this nervousness, I was at times not being able to maintain a proper motion and frequency amid the slides while presenting. However, after the completion of my presentation, audiences applauded which made me realise that both oral and written presentation was well framed, structured and spoken even though with few errors. I am happy with the way the slides were interpreted to the teachers and my companions. In this regard, the best way to improve is by listening to others and the way they present their work in front of the people. Being confident is another important aspect. TASK 5: EVALUATION OF THE GROUP DISCUSSION I was very enthusiastic about the group discussion which was being conducted. I was happy with the fact that I would be able to learn several facts regarding the group discussion. The discussion was conducted among the members of the class. I was able to learn several things from the group discussion such as the way people present the project, the body language and the voice modulation. Every member present in the platform was excited to present their opinion and the knowledge they have gained through the research work. Every member was presenting different facts regarding their topic which included the ethical trading and sourcing of the cocoa beans in Philippines as well. I came across many facts that were unknown to me and I too contributed in the discussion by describing my points as well. I was carefully listening to every member present in that platform. There were people who reflected facts which were new to me and were different from my presentation. The sentences and the facts stated in the presentation were well structured and framed with various contrasting views. I observed while listening to the group discussion that the pitch of the member was changing with the facts they were presenting. However, none of the members were missing to keep the eye contact while putting their points forward. One of my friends stated that cocoa bean in Philippines is a highly valued crop and the government extends their support in the production of the crop. I was unknown to the fact. However, when my one of team member stated that the best quality of cocoa beans is produced in Philippines, I contradicted his point in a confident way. . I was actively participating in the group discussion and giving my valuable inputs through my knowledge and ideas I have gained through the research work. Various ideas and facts were flowing from every member making the group discussion competitive with enough brain storming. Indeed, it cannot be denied that the group discussion was effective in not only gaining knowledge and clear understanding but also in developing better listening and speaking skills. Works Cited Fair Trade Foundation. “Fair Trade and Cocoa.” Commodity Briefing (2011): 2-17. Print. “Slavery in the Chocolate Industry.” Food Empowerment Project. 2014. Web. 24 May. 2014. Nelson, Valerie and Galvez, Modesto. “Social Impact of Ethical and Conventional Cocoa Trading on Forest-Dependent People in Ecuador.” Natural Resources and Ethical Trade (2000): 1-29. Print. “Chocolate Scorecard.” World Vision Australia. 2012. Web. 24 May. 2014. World Vision Australia. “Chocolate’s Bitter Taste.” Forced, Child And Trafficked Labour In The Cocoa Industry (2012): 1-6. Print. Read More