The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center is proud to host and sponsor the
first Sustainable Coffee Congress, to be held in September 16-18, 1996 at
the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Other sponsors include Equal
Exchange, Coffee Kids, Elan Organic Coffee, Thanksgiving Coffee, the Natural
Resources Defense Council, Starbucks, and Rainforest Alliance.
Coffee is a crop of tremendous importance to the more than 80 countries
that grow it and the world of consumers that drinks it. In much of Central
and South America, it has long been grown beneath a diverse canopy of shade
trees, creating a forest-like environment which protects the soil, reduces
the need for toxic chemicals, and provides habitat for migratory birds and a
host of other forest organisms. In the past few decades, this traditional
method of coffee production has been replaced by technified farms, where the
canopy is removed and a variety of agrochemicals are used. We believe this
has had a detrimental impact not only on the birds, the trees, and the rich
biota of the tropics, but also on the hundreds of thousands of farmers and
farm workers associated with the coffee sector.
When concerned coffee drinkers find out about the impact that coffee
technification is having on the environment, they often want to know where
they can buy coffee produced in a sustainable manner. The time is right to
bring growers, farm workers, importers, roasters and consumers together to
develop a truly sustainable coffee for the marketplace.
However, before we begin to do this, we must communicate. Many different
groups of people have an abiding interest in the development of sustainable
coffee. But these groups are often operating in different organizations and
far-flung spheres of influence. It is not uncommon that their efforts are
duplicated or, worse, go unnoticed by others with similar goals. As a first
step towards developing sustainable coffee, we are bringing together people
from these different worlds to tell their stories, provide their
perspectives and expertise, and share their information.
The first Sustainable Coffee Congress will consist of two days of formal
presentations on various themes, including the impact of coffee cultivation
on people, biodiversity, and the environment of the coffee regions; the
economics of different modes of coffee production; the role of organic
coffee production; the development of fair trade strategies for buying and
selling coffee; and the potential for "green" marketing. We are inviting
growers, representatives of small farmer cooperatives, non-governmental
organizations, roasters, importers, biologists, geographers, and political
economists to speak to these issues. The third and final day we will roll up
our sleeves, form several working groups, and develop specific
recommendations for the development of a sustainable coffee. More
importantly, we will lay the foundation for an ongoing coalition dedicated
to sustainable coffee -- an organization that can act on the recommendations
of the congress.
Please join us. For the people, flora, and birds and other fauna of the
coffee growing regions, this effort can help place environmental, social and
economic sustainability on the map of the new world order.
For more information please contact the SMBC at FAX 202-673-4916 or email
rarice@sivm.si.edu Check out our website at
htp://www.si.edu/natzoo/zooview/smbc/smbchome.htm
John Sterling
Wildlife Biologist
Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center
National Zoological Park
Washington, DC 20008
202-673-4908
FAX 673-4916
ani@erols.com