The first lady had a discussion with the nestle group executive vice-president in charge of operations

The First Lady Dominique Ouattara, President of the National Oversight Committee of Actions for Fight against Trafficking, Exploitation and Child Labor (CNS), received on Thursday, 03 October 2013, at her Cabinet in Cocody, Mr. José Lopez, the Executive Vice-President of Global Operations Of the Nestlé Group. 

For about thirty minutes, the President of the CNS and her hosts exchanged views on the worst forms of child labor. From the outset, Mrs. Ouattara explained to her hosts the new institutional framework set up with the National Oversight Committee (CNS) and the Inter-ministerial Committee (CIM); not without explaining the reasons for her personal commitment. Secondly, she spelled out the progress made while welcoming the good coordination of actions with all the partners.

The Nestlé Group Vice President of Global Operations presented the various community development projects to combat child labor in cocoa farms.
 At the meeting, the group leader outlined to Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, President of the National Oversight Committee (CNS), the community development projects set up by Nestlé to combat child labor in the cocoa farming. According to the vice-president, the objective of this vast community development project is to facilitate access to education in Côte d'Ivoire; making education attractive to children in rural areas in Côte d'Ivoire; enhance the courses and encourage the reduction of the incidence of the worst forms of child labor and built infrastructures to increase the number of children attending school.

Indeed, this project called "Nestlé / WCF school project " foresees the construction of 40 schools over 4 years. In addition to this project, Nestlé is planning further training in good agricultural practices; Improve living conditions in schools and access to basic infrastructure and also promote adult literacy. It also provides for the training of teachers, administrators and communities in the management of additional classes and infrastructure. In addition, Nestlé plans to provide 140 grants to families to support the education of children and encourage women's entrepreneurship. The cost of these investments is 350 million CFA francs. The company has already built 22 out of 40 schools. In addition, the Nestlé Group conducts complementary activities to develop local capacities and life skills in 10 villages in the country. At the end of the meeting, the First Lady Dominique Ouattara congratulated the group for its commitment to the eradication of child labor. "I would also like to congratulate the Nestlé Group in particular the Executive Vice-President for the excellent work they are doing and their assistance in the fight against child labor. Especially the decision to build 40 schools. I am greatly touched by this project. Besides 22 were already built. I would like to thank you, "she said.

José Lopez, The Executive Vice President of Global Operations for the Nestlé Group, translated his faith into a better tomorrow in the remediation process of the phenomenon. "I was extremely impressed and enthusiastic about the alignment of the actions of the First Lady and the actions that the Nestlé Group is taking on the ground. We are confident that this alignment will be beneficial. Also, there will be an improvement in an area that is close to our heart, which is the eradication of child labor in cocoa farms particularly. The Nestlé Group Executive Vice-President of Global Operations was accompanied at the meeting by Mr. Patricio Astolfi, Managing Director of Nestlé Côte d'Ivoire; Mrs. Peggy Diby, Regional Director of Communication and Public Relations of Nestlé West and Central Africa and Mr. Christ Hogg, Deputy Director of Media Relations, Nestlé Group.