Thank you for all your support last year!
2017 was a tough year for many…
A year that many of us felt a shift…
A year when many of us felt that through the transition good things could come…in the words of C.S.Lewis:
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
April 2017, thanks to many of you, saw the launch of my 8th book, Slave to Fashion, on the subject of modern slavery within fashion supply chains, and published by those talented people at New Internationalist.
To find out more about it please read my blog and hear what contributors and reviewers have to say about it. The book has been read by fashion bloggers, industry buyers and ethical consumers alike and was also launched in the US also in Summer 2017.
We still have a VERY long way to go to eradicate modern day slavery and exploitation, partly because it is a systemic problem. Whilst we seem to have made positive progress in 2017, thanks to the great work of professional and government organisations, and indeed us ‘active citizens’ – it feels as if we are only beginning to scratch the surface.
I do find it heartening that finally we are discussing our dysfunctional, bankrupt economic system and how it is failing not only the underprivileged, but the middle and professional classes; the environment, and undermining the chance for peace and democracy.
If ever collaboration, good leadership, education, the enforcement of our international Declarations and Laws were needed, it is NOW.
January 2017, whilst continuing to work on the Board with People Tree (the company I founded in Japan 27 years ago), I joined Po-Zu, the ethical shoe brand, as a consultant and MD.
It has been a hugely interesting and busy journey helping to make the Star Wars / LucasFilm collaboration a success. Setting up an ethical supply chain in Sri Lanka, and working on sales and marketing, operations and the collections to make Po-Zu THE go-to ethical footwear brand.
Po-Zu Crowdcube Sven Segal, Founder and CEO & Safia Minney, Managing Director from Sven Segal on Vimeo.
And of course, for me, during 2017 it has been a pleasure to be part of the global social enterprise community, working internationally with some of the leading universities, companies and networks to mainstream a new thinking about ethical business practice and sustainable living.
A huge thank you to you all – and hoping that 2018 is the happiest and most fulfilling year yet for you 🙂
UPDATE: Safia is honoured to be guest speaker at two events in January 2018
1) FASHIONSVP Tuesday 16 January at Olympia London – Register Now to ensure your place
11.00 – 11.40: “Sustainable sourcing: fresh challenges, new opportunities”
How sustainable production can be a competitive advantage for your business
Getting buy-in on a sustainable business model from your directors and your team
Tamsin Lejeune, CEO, Ethical Fashion Group and CO moderating the discussion and debate with Safia Minney MBE, Co-founder, People Tree, Oya Barlas Bingül, Development Manager, Lenzing Group, Eric Roosen, CEO, StarSock – Healthy Seas Initiative, Senior speaker invited from Patagonia Europe
2) OXFORD UNIVERSITY Monday 29 January 2018 6.30pm – 9pm Wadham College for the Oxford Fairtrade Coalition AGM Monday . FULL DETAILS HERE: Ethical Agenda Blog Post
Safia Minney available for speaking engagements worldwide and also for consultancy work. Please contact: info@safia-minney.com