The Importance of Global Interdependence
Written By Michelle Ocfemia
Background on Resource from resource lead:
This resource is to further dive into a topic that our subject matter expert, Erika Koss, mentioned in our IG live stream about Sustainability. Erika talked about how it is important to have community and partners when tackling the problems in the world. In the resource found below, Erika quotes Martin Luther King Jr, stating how we are all related in some way and networks change according to our actions. We must remember that we are one of many actors in the coffee chain who can directly or indirectly change another actor’s lives.
How it relates to Sustainability and the three pillars (economic, environmental, social):
When we talk about community, it is important to have each other when we are trying to improve the world’s health and capacity to survive in this economy. Without each other we wouldn’t be able to tackle the inequalities to sustain the world, our economy and our population. These relationships help us on a daily basis.
What did you learn:
A lot of times I like to take action alone as I would say I’m a very independent person. I tend to forget that if I can collaborate with those in the community, I can have a bigger impact to change something and maybe have more voices heard with what I want to stand up for. I can also learn more from others' experiences and perspectives. What’s more, having a support group and knowing that I have individuals to back me up feels powerful. This is one of the reasons I joined the coffee community through work and volunteering at SCA and the Toronto Coffee Community, as I believe that a lot of us want to challenge the status quo, and help others in this industry.
Michelle Ocfemia
Education Coordinator
education@scacanada.coffee