During the inaugural World Café session organized by the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) in Interlaken, Switzerland in 2012, a notable shift in dynamics took place. Unlike the conventional setup where panellists address the audience, this event placed the spotlight on the attendees themselves. They became the focal point, engaging in active discussions and sharing their valuable insights. The traditional model of one-way communication was replaced by a more interactive and participatory approach, turning the participants into the stars of the show. This innovative concept allowed for a diverse range of voices to be heard, transforming the session into a collaborative conversation rather than a monologue.
The 81st Plenary Meeting in Mumbai held on 4 December carried forward this tradition of engaging attendees in group discussions on various globally significant concerns related to cotton and textiles. A total of 11 topics were arranged, allowing participants to choose one based on their expertise or personal interest. In these groups, individuals exchanged views and perspectives, contributing to a fruitful exchange of ideas. Following an hour of intense deliberation, everyone reconvened, and representatives from each table stepped forward to share the key points and highlights of their conversations, shedding light on the diverse range of topics explored.
Significantly, the focus of the discussion was not solely on academia; instead, the groups were encouraged to produce tangible results. This meant that they were expected to identify and propose practical measures that could be adopted to enhance the worldwide cotton and textile industry.
The following day witnessed a half-hour session dedicated to questioning and answering, while in January, the ICAC plans to furnish a comprehensive report encompassing a thorough summary of the recommendations put forth by each group.
The topics of the group discussions were:
- Battling the Pink Bollworm: Cutting-Edge Eradication Technologies
- Revolutionising Cotton Farming: Global High-Density Planting Best Practices
- Cutting-Edge Technology in Farming: Robotics & Machineries for Smallholder Cotton Farms
- Sustainability through Carbon Sequestration
- Empowering Smallholder Farmers: The Digital Revolution in Education and Support
- Fostering Entrepreneurship: Support Services & Opportunities
- Setting Standards and Assurance: Traceability Technologies and Certifications
- Diversifying Cotton Economies: Innovations in By-products
- Greening the Textile Industry: Promoting Eco-friendly Factories
- Cotton Sustainability Driven by Fashion Design and Communication
- Cotton Prospects in Technical Textiles
Ms Roop Rashi, the Textile Commissioner from the Ministry of Textiles in India, took on the role of the Chair for the 2023 World Café. The session was skillfully coordinated by Mr Mike McCue, the Communications Director of ICAC.
The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) recently held their 81st Plenary Meeting in Mumbai, India. With the theme of “Cotton Value Chain: Local Innovations for Global Prosperity,” the conference took place from 2nd to 5th December at the Jio World Convention Centre. Following the event, participants had the opportunity to embark on a Technical Tour of India’s vibrant cotton and textile industries, which was scheduled from the 6th to the 8th of December.
