Pre-WPCS Educational Course by Dr. Erika Koss

This course is designed for coffee professionals to gain an in-depth introduction to gender issues in the global coffee supply chain and the vital link between gender equity and coffee sustainability.

This course is launched for the first time publicly in Cordoba, Mexico at the 3rd annual Women-Powered Coffee Summit, hosted by Bean Voyage.

The course is taught in English and requires attendance and participation for the entire 3.5 hours of learning.  Optional readings will be given to participants to consider before and after the course. 

COURSE SCHEDULE:

Wednesday 2 October 2024, 12noon to 3:30pm

Session 1 (12-12:45pm):  The Gendered Coffee Paradox:  Why Considering Gender Matters in the Global Coffee Industry  

An introduction to key global issues when exploring “gender in coffee” and “women in coffee.”

Topics include:

• A brief history of social justice movements led by women; 

• defining gender in the twentieth-century; 

• rationale for why this course centres on “women”; 

• discussing equity vs. equality & intersectionality;  

• what data about ‘women in coffee’ tells us & what it does not; 

• introducing the 'gendered coffee paradox' as a set up for my keynote at the summit.

Coffee Break (12:45-1pm)

Sponsored by Roblesabana Coffees in Costa Rica;

Coffee will be brewed by Marcela Porras. 
Featured Coffee: Red Honey process from Las Lajas farm in Costa Rica, Sabanilla of Alajuela, produced by Francisca Cubillo.

Session 2 (1-1:45pm):  Gender-Specific Challenges for Women in Coffee  

An introduction to diverse global, national, and local challenges from women in both producing and consuming countries.

Topics include: 

• sustainability challenges (environment, social, economic); 

• gender gaps in the production of coffee;  

• gender gaps in the consumption of coffee;  

• global gender gaps on both sides of equator; 

• open discussion of other gendered challenges among participants. 

Coffee Break (1:45-2pm)

Sponsored by Roblesabana Coffees in Costa Rica; 

Coffee will be brewed by Marcela Porras. 
Featured coffee:  Washed "reposado" process from Alto El Vapor farm in Costa Rica, Santa Maria de Dota, Tarrazú, produced by Delfina Porras.

Session 3 (2-2:45pm): Gender-Specific Solutions for Women in Coffee  

Without women’s labour, the future of coffee is precarious. But what do women want?  Session 3 is the most interactive part of the course where we consider some contemporary global solutions for women. We will discuss whether attendees of the course believe these might work for them, or not.  Participants in the course will consider at least one action step based on a solution in their context. 

Conclusion (3-3:30pm):  Final Thoughts & Action Steps 

Concluding remarks from Erika and a participatory discussion as we discuss next steps for the future of gender equity and coffee sustainability.

REGISTRATION:

Registration is required and closes on 25 September 2024.

COURSE TUITION: 

Regular cost of this course is $225 USD, but thanks to the sponsorship from Urnex, the course fee in Cordoba is subsidized for:  

• $39 USD (early bird rate – register online by Sep 13)

• $59 USD (register online between Sep 13 and September 25) 

Registration closes on 25 September 2024.

Special thanks to Marcela Porras for providing and brewing women-produced Costa Rican specialty coffee during Erika's course.  Roblesabana specialty coffees score 83 points or higher, and are produced by women in Costa Rica with traceability to the farm and unique roasting profiles. To learn more: 

 roblesabanacoffee.com | @roblesabanacoffee 

The course is open to 40 participants of all ages or all genders who are attending the Women-Powered Summit. No formal experience or education is required; all are welcome.

This course is ideal for:

• Coffee professionals who work in any aspect of coffee sustainability and want a deeper understanding of the discourse of gender and challenges for women;

• Anyone seeking to understand research gaps for women in the coffee industry; 

• Women who work in any aspect of the coffee industry, who would like to learn more about the global challenges and solutions for other women in coffee;

• Men who work in any aspect of the coffee industry, who want to learn about how to be allies for women and how to work toward social justice for all genders.

QUESTIONS:

Registration questions:  Write to wpcs@beanvoyage.org to get support.

Course content questions?  Write to Erika Koss:  AWorldinYourCup@gmail.com or on Instagram @AWorldinYourCup

If you cannot attend the course in-person in Cordoba, join Erika’s Substack newsletter (Erika.Koss.substack.com) or Instagram to learn about future online course offerings.

MORE ABOUT ERIKA AND THIS COURSE: