Setting the Stage for a Multisectoral Sustainability Dialogue

As sustainability challenges grow more complex and interconnected, addressing them demands collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and communities. Post the signing of MoU between Fairtrade NAPP and Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) in 2025, a ‘National Conference on Unpacking Sustainability’ was hosted by both the parties in Chennai on 19^th Dec 2025 to serve a catalytic platform to explore sustainability from a multisectoral perspective and identify practical applications across diverse industries and development contexts.

Bringing together academicians, practitioners, entrepreneurs, students, and policymakers, the event created a shared space to move sustainability beyond theory — transforming it into actionable strategies that can be applied in real-world settings.

A Landmark Moment: Launch of CRETSA and Knowledge Resources Unveiled

A defining highlight of the day was the inauguration of the Centre for Research on Ethical Trade and Sustainability Alliance (CRETSA)- a new institutional platform dedicated to advancing sustainability research, innovation, and cross-sector partnerships. CRETSA now stands as a knowledge hub, a space where students, researchers, producers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers can co-create solutions for sustainable and fair trade systems.

The launch was further strengthened by the release of two major knowledge resources:

• Impact Playbook: Collaborative Games for Real-World Evaluation”, a handbook designed to make sustainability evaluation engaging, participatory, and practical.
• Sea Food Supply Chain in Jaffna and Mannar Districts – A Technical Study: Challenges and Recommendations”, a research report shedding light on sustainability challenges and solutions within seafood supply chains.

These publications will serve as practical reference tools for researchers, enterprises, students, and development practitioners working to strengthen sustainability systems

Conference Highlights: Learning, Dialogue, and Innovation in Action

The conference unfolded through a dynamic blend of expert insight, sectoral dialogue, and interactive experience.

A keynote address explored global sustainability standards and emerging frameworks, offering participants a strong conceptual foundation for aligning local practices with international benchmarks.

Panel discussions unpacked sustainability challenges and opportunities across key sectors — Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Waste Management, and Health Innovation — bringing together experts and practitioners to share realities, innovations, and solutions.

Pitching sessions provided startups, social enterprises, and cooperatives with a platform to present their innovations and receive real-time sustainability ratings and expert feedback, strengthening their investment readiness and impact-oriented growth strategies.

Networking sessions and product stalls showcased Fairtrade and sustainability-driven products, encouraging cross-sector partnerships, market linkages, and collaborative enterprise opportunities.

Students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and researchers actively participated throughout, transforming the conference into a living laboratory of sustainability practice and innovation.

From Learning to Live Application

Interactive pitching and rating sessions allowed startups, social enterprises, and cooperatives to receive real-time sustainability assessments with expert feedback. This hands-on experience strengthened understanding of how sustainability metrics inform decision-making, investment readiness, and impact-driven growth.

Strengthening Cross-Sector Collaboration

The conference fostered meaningful collaboration among academicians, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, reinforcing Fairtrade NAPP’s mission to bridge research, enterprise development, and policy advocacy. The partnership with MSSW and launch of CRETSA established a long-term hub for sustainability research, innovation, and ethical trade engagement.

Empowering the Next Generation Through Experiential Learning

A unique strength of the conference was its strong focus on student engagement who played an active role in assessment exercises, panel interactions, and stakeholder engagements. This experiential learning approach bridged the gap between classroom learning and industry realities—nurturing future sustainability leaders equipped with practical insight and collaborative mindsets.

From Conversation to Continuous Change

The National Conference on Unpacking Sustainability was not a one-time gathering — it was the beginning of an ongoing movement toward measurable, inclusive, and collaborative sustainability action. With future conferences, research initiatives, and partnership programs already in motion, Fairtrade NAPP continues to transform sustainability from an aspiration into an operational reality.