FEATS IN SWEETS: WHO WINS YOUR 2014 VOTE?
Antonie Fountain, coordinator of The Voice Network
Antonie Fountain is the charismatic coordinator of Voice, a network of European NGOs and trade unions working towards sustainability in the cocoa sector.
He was nominated for Personality of the Year by UTZ Certified executive director Han de Groot. "Over the last year especially, under Antonie’s coordination, the VOICE Network has successfully raised awareness for a better position of cocoa farmers in the cocoa supply chain, an aim that UTZ Certified shares," said Han. "In addition, through continuous advocacy for the transformation of the market, Antonie has set the stage for better and faster steps towards a sustainable cocoa sector."
Antonie founded Stop the Traffik Netherlands in 2006 and lobbied the cocoa and chocolate industry to step up on slavery in cocoa growing communities in his capacity as director until 2013. More recently, he has been part of a working group to develop an international standard for sustainable cocoa.
"We value his work as a tireless spokesman for better chances and more justice for the cocoa farmer," said Han de Groot.