In light of the announcement made by the SCA to continue with competitions planned in Dubai and Brazil in 2018, SCA Canada pulls support from these competitions, and invites the global community to participate in its national competitions.
BY ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE
On November 10, the Canadian chapter of the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) announced that it will not send competitors to the competitions slated to take place in Dubai, UAE, and Brazil in 2018. This announcement comes after the SCA and World Coffee Events (WCE) issued a statement saying they would move forward with the competitions and offered future competitors an option to defer their spots in international competitions to the following year if they choose not to compete in Dubai.
Below is the entire press release, where the SCA Canadian board members invite competitors from other nations to participate in their national events, and offer support and solidarity for the members of the coffee community that have been hurt and further marginalized by the SCA announcement.
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RE: Deferred Candidacy Policy for Competitors at World Championships
Yesterday, the Specialty Coffee Association’s Board of Directors and Review Panel, after several weeks of conversation and contemplation, announced their decision to go forward with hosting multiple World Coffee Events in countries with oppressive policies and violent attitudes towards the LGBTQIA+ community.
In the wake of that decision, the Canadian Chapter of the SCA would like to affirm our unequivocal support for all members of our community and the coffee community at large. The SCA’s decision does not align with our Chapter’s steadfast belief in the principles of equity and inclusivity, and places the burden of responsibility onto those who are most endangered by it.
As the Chapter’s elected coordinators, we have unanimously resolved to not send Canadian competitors to the following events:
- World Cup Tasters Championship and World Brewers Cup in Dubai, UAE (16 – 18 September 2018)
- World Latte Art Championship and the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championships in Brazil (November 2018)
We cannot, in good conscience, ask our members to choose between compromising their safety, disclosing unnecessarily, not competing in the first place, or any of the other options this policy might require. We believe our community is worth more than deferment requests and qualifying circumstances. As a Chapter, we must stand for human rights for all.
For 2018, our plan is to still hold regional competitions and national championships for the affected events, but the Chapter will not be sending competitors to the international events in Dubai and Brazil. Additionally, our national competitions will be open to any and all participants from around the world who would prefer not to participate in those championships. We believe that coffee can be a medium for affecting positive change in the world and are proud to be a part of that change. If anyone has any comments or concerns, we can be reached at ocanadasca@gmail.com.
#YESEQUAL
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Please read our statement here about the recent decision by the Specialty Coffee Association regarding the 2018 competitions in Dubai. We will continue to report live from Seoul with a focus on competitors and their progress, so please check here for results and standings. We also turn to the global coffee community for their feelings and thoughts regarding this decision, so please email, leave comments, or find us on social media to share your concerns.
