JOURNALISTS IMPLORED TO EXPLORE ISSUES SURROUNDING COTTON

JOURNALISTS IMPLORED TO EXPLORE ISSUES SURROUNDING COTTON 

....especially at groundroot levels to change the cotton and fashion narrative.

By Alfonso Kasongo

Amidst increased adverse effects of climate change, consumers and producers of fashion,globally are grappling with questions of sustainability.

At the same time, the globe is witnessing a groundswell of farmers, demanding more equitable and just livelihoods.
 
To address such concerns, Cotton Diaries and a Growing Culture have partnered to initiate Cotton at the Source, an initiative that will broaden and deepen the understanding of cotton, the most widespread non-food crop in the world.

HyoJin Park, a press relations Lead at the Growing Culture says journalists and socialists remain important in broadening and deepening the understanding of cotton as they have the responsibility of informing the public discourse.

Speaking during a Cotton at the Source press forum,that aims at shifting the cotton narrative, Ms. Park,emphasises the need "to listen to those at the very beginning of cotton journey."

"And the conversation of sustainability, labour supply chain. And these are farmers who the fashion industry could not exist without," Ms Park adds.

"What if we listened to those at the very beginning of fashion’s supply chains to understand how we can transform our fashion industry to be sustainable, climate-resilient and just? "

Ms. Park observes that the initiative comes at a time when farmers across the world are demanding dignified livelihoods and just for their labour.

She is hopeful that the initiative will bridge the gaps and create an opportunity for the public to learn how it can better listen to the millions households that depend on cotton, the second most common fiber in the world.
 
Meanwhile she has implored journalists to cover many issues surrounding cotton such as land ,labour, gender and ecological issues among others.

And Marzia Lanfranchi, Cotton Diaries Co-founder and initiative partner stressed the need for balancing stories as this is key in challenging single stories.

Ms. Lanfranchi adds that  balancing stories makes journalists "regain the power to find holistic solutions that are relevant to all."
" we must always tell better stories.As a storyteller, you have the opportunity to be an ally, " Ms. Lanfranchi adds.

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