Consumers International

As we say goodbye to 2024, we celebrate the incredible strides made with our global community. From influencing global policies to tackling scams and advocating for sustainable lifestyles, our achievements this year have truly shown the power of collaboration and the impact we can achieve together. Check out our year in review: https://lnkd.in/e5wyYJQT Together, we will continue to advocate for a fairer, safer, and more sustainable world for consumers everywhere. Happy New Year from Consumers International! 🎉 #ConsumerRights #ConsumersInternational #YearinReview #DigitalFinance #Sustainability #ConsumerProtection

One-third of the global population is still offline, and women in lower-income countries are 52% less likely to have internet access than men. #DigitalFinancialServices (DFS) are changing how we manage our money—making it easier, faster, and more flexible. But for many, these innovations remain out of reach, leaving gaps in access, #digitalliteracy, and #consumerprotections. So how do we make #DFS truly inclusive? By building 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 consumers, not just 𝘧𝘰𝘳 them. From Fiji to Rwanda to Brazil, consumer groups are leading the way—bridging digital divides, fighting fraud, and working with businesses. Learn how: https://lnkd.in/eBtMTCbD #digitalfinance #financialinclusion Consumer Council Of Fiji Idec - Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor Which? Financial Conduct Authority Rwanda Consumer's Rights Protection Organization

The theme for #WorldConsumerRightsDay, "A just transition to sustainable lifestyles," comes at a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change 🌍 In 2025, we will be marking five years until the target date for the Sustainable Development Goals. Many of these goals, particularly those related to #climateaction and #sustainableconsumption, are off-track. Our theme not only calls for fundamental shifts in how we consume, but it ensures that these changes 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬. It emphasises the importance of making sustainable and healthy choices affordable, accessible, and available, while ensuring #consumervoices are integral to policy-making and business strategies. This isn’t just about creating awareness – it’s about creating a 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 for everyone. Read more👉 https://lnkd.in/eN4vAq5V #JustSustainableLifestyles #WCRD2025 #ConsumerRights  Forbrugerrådet Tænk Consumer Council Consumer Council Of Fiji The Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network - BCEN CHOICE BEUC - The European Consumer Organisation Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) Consumer Policy Research Centre (CCZ) CONSUMER COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE Consumer VOICE India

Imagine navigating everyday life without access to the financial tools many of us take for granted. For the 16% of the global population living with disabilities — 80% of whom are in low- and middle-income countries — this is a daily reality. Barriers like inaccessible systems, harmful stereotypes, and limited digital and financial literacy hold many back. But it doesn’t have to be this way. When #financialservices are designed 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 people, not just 𝘧𝘰𝘳 them, we can unlock real change. Collaboration, accessible solutions, and empowering financial education can make the promise of #digitalfinance a reality for everyone. Together, we can create an inclusive financial future where no one is left behind. Learn more about the challenges and solutions: https://lnkd.in/evatCbEP #DisabilityInclusion #FinancialInclusion #DisabilityRights Tec-Check Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) Prof. Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, MBA, MPA, EdD Fiorentina García Miramón Jorum Odiemo

Consumers International is hiring a Sustainable Living Coordinator - great opportunity for someone interested in aligning action on sustainable consumption and equitable access to basic needs. Role is remote and globally available, 6-month contract with possibility for extension. Deadline for applications is Monday 16th December. https://lnkd.in/dcDNJP34

🌍 Empowering Consumers Through User-Centric Digital Payments The latest report from the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI), “Unpacking User-Centricity Through the Payments Layer of Digital Public Infrastructure”, dives deep into the promise of inclusive digital ecosystems. But as we design these systems, are we doing enough to protect and empower consumers, especially the most vulnerable? From a consumer protection and empowerment lens, here’s what stood out: 🔹 User-Centric Design: True empowerment isn’t just about access. It’s about enabling all consumers—especially those with limited digital literacy—to engage with confidence and make informed choices. 🔹 Addressing Vulnerability: Groups like women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities face compounded risks in digital ecosystems. Tailored safeguards and education are essential to ensure these systems are inclusive for everyone. 🔹 Trust and Transparency: Consumers must be able to trust that their data is safe, their rights are protected, and they have recourse if something goes wrong. Transparency and accountability are the foundation of this trust. 🔹 Financial Literacy as Empowerment: Digital payments unlock new opportunities, but financial literacy is the key to helping consumers use these systems meaningfully and responsibly. We shouldn’t forget the role that consumer advocates can play here. They are crucial in shaping digital payments by promoting consumer-first principles that ensure accessibility and equity for vulnerable groups. They address risks like algorithmic bias and data misuse by collaborating with innovators and demand accountability through transparency in fees, performance, and grievance mechanisms. By championing data equity and advocating for safeguards to protect consumers during crises, advocates help create a trusted, inclusive, and resilient digital payments ecosystem. This isn’t just about building infrastructure—it’s about building confidence, resilience, and equity into the digital payments landscape. When consumers are empowered, the promise of digital public infrastructure becomes a reality for all. 📖 Read the brief here: https://lnkd.in/di2dv2rW 💬 What are your thoughts on putting consumers at the center of digital innovation? Consumers International #ConsumerProtection #DigitalPayments #FinancialInclusion #Empowerment #Vulnerability #UserCentricDesign

As the year draws to a close, we’re proud to reflect on our achievements made possible by working together with our global network of Members and other stakeholders. Together, we tackled the world’s most pressing consumer challenges, shaping policies and driving solutions for a more fair, safe and sustainable marketplace. Highlights include: ✅ Only global consumer group invited to the first OECD - OCDE Consumer Policy Ministerial, representing the consumer voice across all thematic sessions ✅ Supporting 43 grassroots projects with funding to drive local impact ✅ Leading conversations on digital rights, responsible AI, financial inclusion, sustainable food systems and more ✅ Engaging over 100 Members for #WorldConsumerRightsDay ✅ Launching impactful campaigns such as #PurchasingPowers, now the most-watched BBC StoryWorks series Read more: https://lnkd.in/e5wyYJQT Thank you to everyone who has supported these achievements! #ConsumerRights #DigitalFinance #ConsumerProtection #FinancialInclusion #Top10 Consumer VOICE India BEUC - The European Consumer Organisation Consumentenbond Forbrugerrådet Tænk CHOICE Which? Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) The Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network - BCEN

Scams are not just growing—they're becoming more complex, and causing widespread economic, psychological, and emotional harm. Last month we held our third 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 to discuss the 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐬. 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳? As #scams evolve, they exploit the trust and habits of #consumers, leaving many feeling powerless. Education alone isn’t enough anymore—this is a shared problem that demands shared solutions. Thank you to our panellists for sharing your valuable insights! 💫 🔗 Learn more about our anti-scams work: https://lnkd.in/drD-SPpA

Trust is critical in our data-driven world. Without it, consumers may shy away from digital services that are central to daily life and economic growth.  Our new report highlights why global economies and companies must build robust, accessible ways for people to seek help when things go wrong. Trust-building isn’t just good ethics; it’s good for business too. When people can trust how their data is handled, they can feel safer online and empowered in the digital economy. Learn how: https://lnkd.in/eJ8SWfAG #DataProtection #ConsumerRights #CrossBorderData #ConsumersInternational #HumanRightsDay

Each year we delay a final decision on plastics, the crisis worsens, threatening our planet, our health, and our future. Reflecting on the fifth session of the International Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on #Plastics, we’re left with a mix of hope and frustration.  While a final #globalplasticstreaty remains out of reach, this isn’t the end—it’s a critical chance to push for the ambitious action the world needs. A few thoughts:   ➡️ No agreement is better than a poor agreement Negotiations fell short of delivering a finalised treaty, but this pause offers countries an opportunity to align on a more impactful text. A rushed or weak agreement could've locked in harmful provisions that would be nearly impossible to change in the future.   ➡️ Achievements we can build upon Global South nations, led by Rwanda, Peru, Mexico, and Panama, along with the High Ambition Coalition and the EU—supported by civil society—stood firm against proposals favouring fossil fuel and petrochemical interests. Their strong stance signals a willingness to push for ambitious outcomes. On top of this, broad alliances emerged among over 100 countries advocating for a text that prioritises #sustainablesolutions and equitable global action.   ➡️ Challenges that persist Language around “sustainable consumption and production of plastics” is still vague, and could be used to delay crucial steps like phasing out #fossilfuels. There was also opposition from a small but influential group of countries, resulting in a deadlock, and leaving critical decisions until the next round of talks in 2025.   𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫. We’ll continue working with member states and allies, as well as with civil society partners, to champion a treaty that benefits consumers, promotes equity, and tackles the root causes of the #plasticscrisis. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eQRh6YS9