Conference: The Copper Value Chain - Life in Zambia, the Swiss Commodity Hub, and Responsible Business

Jointly organised by KEESA, Afrika-Komitee and the Centre for African Studies Basel

In the past fifteen years, Switzerland has emerged as the largest commodity-trading hub in the world. This hub involves more than transit trade, though, and includes services such as logistics, certification and warehousing. Zambia’s economy, on the other hand, has not only been dependent on copper export for more than a century with little manufacturing in the country but is currently highly indebted. At the workshop, Zambian and Swiss civil society activists and researchers look at the interdependence between Swiss trade and logistics and life in Zambian mining towns, and discuss the responsibility of Swiss-based businesses.

Program:

8.30 Registration and coffee

9.00 Welcome

9.15 Switzerland’s Role in Zambia’s Copper Sector (Rita Kesselring, KEESA/University of Basel, Gregor Dobler, University of Freiburg)

10.15 Coffee break

10.45 Life in Mufulira: the consequences of the global copper industry and local activism (Christopher Nkhata, Green & Justice, Mufulira)

11.45 Politics, Indebtedness and Dependence on the Extractive Sector: the role of civil society (Laura Miti, Alliance for Community Action, Lusaka)

12.45 Lunch

14.00 Swiss regulatory systems on commodity trade: overview on political initiatives (KEESA)

14.45 Short break

15.00 Plenary debate between audience and speakers on demands and possible actions (facilitated by Ellen Hertz, University of Neuchâtel)

16.30 Closing

Registration:

Until 30th November by email to: afrika-tagung@clutterunibas.ch

Fees:

Fees: CHF 50.–/CHF 25.– (students). Lunch not included.

Download: Flyer (pdf)

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