Chocolate, a colonial heritage: how can we consume it sustainably and ethically? Discussion open to all.

Take part in a discussion at the heart of the exhibition Memories: Geneva in the colonial world. Temporary exhibition. Sunday 6 October, 2.30 pm to 4 pm.

At the beginning of 2024, the rise in cocoa prices is putting a strain on chocolate producers around the world. There is also concern in Switzerland, the country of chocolate par excellence. The Chocosuisse federation, which includes Nestlé and Lindt, has been lobbying Swiss politicians for decades to facilitate the manufacture and marketing of this product, which is the pride of the country. But the global history of chocolate goes back a long way. Since the days of slavery and right up to the present day, cocoa production has been linked to the dynamics of economic, social and ecological exploitation on a global scale along the lines of North-South domination. What does this mean today for the former colonies that supplied the brown gold? And to what extent is Switzerland aware of the global violence through which its chocolate is produced? And what about consumers?
Let's discuss all these questions together, accompanied by:

Samy Manga, writer, ethno-musician, sculptor and activist.
Juan Castillo, chocolatrie SICAN
Sarah Dekkiche, International Cocoa initiative

This event takes place on the first Sunday of the month, so it's free and there's no need to register beforehand.
Through this series of 'think and act' events, we hope to help you tackle the urgent issue of climate change through the prism of MEG's specific characteristics. By tackling themes such as green colonialism, care, repair, food, clothing and the transmission of knowledge and know-how, we hope to make the impact that our everyday actions can have on the environment more perceptible, and thus question our relationship with it.