Consumer advocates unite for World Consumer Rights Day
Formadores de Oranizaciones Juveniles de Consumidores y Consumidoras, Chile, celebrates with a week-long social media campaign, a regional TV interview, and responsible consumption materials for libraries. On 15 March, an interactive information booth will promote consumer rights with brochures, educational activities for children, and prize contests.
Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation, Nigeria, hosted an insightful event featuring Mr. Afolabi Solebo, General Manager of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, to speak to the actions required for a just transition and how consumer rights must be safeguarded in this shift. They also took part in our discussion on sustainable living.
Consumer Grassroots Association, Kenya, in collaboration with the Competition Authority of Kenya, hosted workshops to educate school children on sustainability, and joined our sessions this week on access to food and nature and biodiversity. They will also run a webinar on this year's theme and achieving access to food on a healthy planet.
InfoCons Romania will celebrate by launching a carbon footprint feature in their European App, helping users understand their environmental impact. They will also introduce the Green Energy Map, support Carbon Capture and Storage efforts, launch an Energy Label for institutions, and prioritise vocational training for teachers and students on sustainability.
The Federation of German Consumer Organisations (vzbv) is launching a nationwide campaign for World Consumer Rights Day, calling for stronger sustainability standards, including the European Supply Chain Act, and urging the European legislator to establish minimum criteria for labels making social and ecological claims.
Consumers Lebanon, in collaboration with the Kuwait Consumer Protection Association, is hosting a virtual symposium on 19 March titled "Fair Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles," focusing on challenges and opportunities in key sectors like food, energy, transport, housing, and water.
The Fédération nationale des Associations de Consommateurs de Côte d'Ivoire is hosting a theoretical exchange panel and exhibition on 15 March, focusing on this year’s theme. The event will feature discussions on the organisational aspects of the transition to sustainability and exhibit innovative products and services designed to support consumers in this shift.
The China Consumer Association is conducting an advocacy campaign under the theme ‘Building Satisfactory Consumption Together’ to strengthen consumer rights protection. The campaign focuses on improving laws and regulations, promoting consumer education, enhancing co-governance, and advancing sustainable consumption through various initiatives, including charity events and public interest litigation.
Defensoría del Consumidor, El Salvador, is hosting a conference at the National Library of El Salvador to discuss consumer rights and the responsibilities of businesses in the country.
IDEC Brazil hosted 'The Impacts of Climate Change on Consumers’ event on 10 March, bringing together Portuguese-speaking organisations to discuss the effects of climate change and responses to extreme climate events. Members Fundação de Proteção e Defesa do Consumidor do Estado de São Paulo and Associação para Defesa do Consumidor, Angola also attended. They also joined our Sustainable Lifestyles Summit.
Fédération Nationale des Associations du Consommateur is hosting workshops and conferences throughout March, focusing on fair and sustainable consumption education for students and discussions on sustainable finance.
Consumer Voice, India, has been running a social campaign throughout March, engaging diverse stakeholders such as consumer organisations, environmental advocates, sustainability experts, youth groups, and individual consumers. Through partnerships, impactful content, real-life stories, and media outreach, they are maximising awareness and impact.
Tribuna Ecuatoriana de Consumidores y Usuarios, Ecuador, is sharing its journey into sustainable living through a series of educational videos and in-person workshops on eco-conscious practices, covering topics such as waste reduction, energy conservation, and ethical consumerism.
Consumer Council of Fiji will celebrate World Consumer Rights Day with a Sustainability Expo, featuring a tools launch, training sessions, and exhibits from businesses, government agencies, and schools. The event will highlight sustainable initiatives, including a Bike Share campaign, to promote eco-friendly practices and policy change in Fiji. They will also run competitions throughout the month to engage consumers in this year's theme.
Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios, Chile, participated in our Sustainable Lifestyles Summit, with their President, Stefan Larenas Riobo, speaking on food waste and clean energy. They will also engage the local community at a conference organised by the consumer protection agency.
Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group, India, is hosting an intercollege competition on March 18, challenging students to identify greenwashing claims and document sustainable campus practices. They will also release a podcast featuring young women entrepreneurs in sustainable business on Spotify and YouTube. Executive Director, Saroja Sundaram, also joined our discussion on plastics this week.
Yemen Association for Consumer Protection is participating in the "Yemen without Plastic" Conference, held on March 15-16, to raise awareness about plastic pollution and explore sustainable alternatives. This event brings together government, private sector, and NGO stakeholders to drive impactful environmental solutions for Yemen.
Consumer NZ's CEO will be a keynote speaker at an event hosted later this month, promoting sustainable lifestyles and what’s needed for a just transition.
Confederación de Consumidores y Usuarios, Spain, will release a consumer-focused statement aligned with the global theme, followed by an online campaign to engage and inform Spanish consumers. Director, Saroja Sundaram, also partook in our discussion on plastics at the Sustainable Lifestyles Summit.
The Consumer Protection Bureau, UK, is marking World Consumer Rights Day on 15 March with a press release and blog encouraging consumers to adopt eco-friendly habits. Read more.
The Network for Consumer Protection, Pakistan, joined the Sustainable Lifestyles Summit and are running an online campaign to educate and empower consumers on sustainable living for a more responsible future.
The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe marked the day with a cleanup campaign in partnership with the Consumer Protection Commission, followed by a panel discussion at COMESA in Mauritius and a symposium in Harare on March 17.
Consumer Education Trust, Uganda, is running a social campaign to spark discussions on environmental responsibility and economic accessibility. They also hosted a discussion on food systems, exploring ways to empower consumers, build resilient communities, and drive equitable and sustainable food practices. Watch here.
Asociación Peruana de Consumidores y Usuarios, Peru, is hosting a forum on sustainable lifestyles in collaboration with the Consumer Defence Commission of Peru. They also held a press to recognize and celebrate businesses actively reducing pollution.
The Consumers Association of Bangladesh is running a multifaceted campaign, involving discussion meetings, TV talk shows, rallies, and youth programmes – all to foster dialogue, raise consumer awareness, and support future advocates. They also highlighted their Green Action Week activities at our Summit.
Consumers Affairs Jamaica is hosting a consumer expo in Cecil Charlotte Park, Mandeville, as part of a week-long campaign on sustainable living, starting with 'Kingston Fashion Block' an upcycling competition.
Consumer Education & Research Centre, India, have campaigned throughout March for sustainable lifestyles, with outreach programmes, a nationwide survey, social media, educational material distribution and contributions from Anindita Mehta, COO, at our Sustainable Lifestyles Summit.
Algerian Organization for Consumer Protection and Guidance is driving awareness on "A Just Transition to Sustainable Lifestyles" through social media, TV, and radio, collaborating with the National Observatory for the Environment, and hosting an expert panel during Ramadan under ministerial patronage.
Consumer Protection Association, India, is conducting a consumer survey to gather insights on sustainable lifestyles. They will use this data to better understand public perspectives and behaviours related to sustainability.
Acción del Consumidor, Argentina, is launching a national information and awareness campaign to highlight the importance of adopting sustainable lifestyles. This will share practical tips and impactful changes. They will be participating in commemorative activities organized organised by the consumer authority, lending their voice and resources to promote consumer rights and environmentally conscious choices.
Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission’s social media campaign, "Let's Embark on a Journey Towards a Greener Future Together," promotes eco-conscious practices, inspiring sustainable choices through engagement and dialogue.
The Associação para Defesa do Consumidor in Cape Verde participated in the Sustainable Lifestyles Summit and is hosting an event focused on energy efficiency, obesity prevention, and national evacuation protocols, featuring expert consultants to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices.