Meet the Child Delegates...
Renata Speaks...
 
"Last year brought a great event to my life. I, together with several other children from Russia, were invited to take part in the Children’s World Congress on Child Labour, which was held in Italy! It was for the first time that I went abroad, for the first time in my life so many people from different countries listened to me. I never expected that my knowledge and skills could help me contribute to writing a Declaration on behalf of all the children. I got acquainted with many of children who are actively involved in the movement against child labour nationally. I also learnt from them the types of participation in the movement.

In Russia it is not officially recognized that children are exploited by adults. Our country was one of the last to ratify the ILO Convention 182. Nevertheless, children should know what child labour is and in what way it differs from helping the adults. On my return from Italy, I began promoting the knowledge among my peers and other school students. I told my teachers, friends, school-mates and friends’ parents about the Global March Against Child Labour. The issue caused a lot of discussions and disputes, even adults sometimes do not understand that it is a crime to exploit children as labourers. It is important to teach kids to work, but to exploit their labour is a crime. Children themselves should also understand it. That’s why I think what Global March does is of such great importance."

Renata Bogomolova, Child Delegate from Russia, Florence Congress

 
 
CHECK OUT
Delhi Congress
Concept Paper
Programme
Child Delegates
Congress Materials
Florence Congress
Photo Gallery 2004
Child Delegates...
Alireza Shams Lahidjani, Iran
Alireza is 15 years old. Alireza & his friends establish an association named "Iranian Association Advocating UN" (UNICHA). Within a yaer of its establishment, they had held many conferences and speeches. In 2000 they had organise a peace camp and raised money for African children and send it to the Secretary General of UN.

Alireza participated in United Nation's General Assembly Special Session on Children Rights. Alireza participated in the first Children’s World Congress on Child Labour in Florence in 2004 and was selected as the Children’s Reference Group member.

Bhagi Ram Chowdhary, Nepal
Bhagi Ram Chaudhary is 15 years and studying in class 8. Bhagi Ram was a domestic labourer since the age of 5, at the local landlords place. He used to graze cows, clean utensils, cut grass and other do household works at his owner's house from early morning till dark night.

Bhagi Ram's family is belongs to an indigenous ethnic group "Tharu" of Nepal. Bhagi Ram’s father Dubar Das Chaudhary was Kamaiya (bonded-labour). This tribe is most underprivileged, illiterate and poverty ridden section of Nepalese society. Kamaiya or bonded laboureres are prevalent among this tribe in Nepal.

Bhagi Ram aims to work for the betterment of his society and abolition of child labour. According to Bhagi Ram, education is the key to abolish such system (Kamaiya) and remove the gap between rich and poor people from society totally.

Fasika Hailu Tesema, Ethiopia
Fasika went out to the street because of low economic status of her family. As a result she was exposed to sexual exploitation for one and half years until she joined the Drop in Center of Forum on Street children Ethiopia (FSCE), a local NGO. She is currently attending Hair Dressing training for alternative means of employment.

Habibullah, Pakistan
Habibullah is 15 years old. He worked as a camel jockey in Dubai for 6 years. Trafficked from Pakistan to UAE by unscrupulous agents, he spent 6 years of his childhood stapped on the back of a camel in the camel racing game. Today Habibullah is studying in 7th grade.

Mesfin Mulle Kelbo, Ethiopia
Mesfin Mule is a 16 years old working child from a weaver household. Due to meager income the family makes out of the traditional weaving, Mesfin and his brothers were forced to supplement the family income toiling day and night in weaving. The working environment also affected Mesfin with serious physical damages. As the loom was installed in a big hole under the mud floor in the room, it was difficult working for him leading to physical deformity and eye problem. Today, he is one of the child leaders in the child participation structure in his community.

Tamara Mwale, Zambia
Tamara Mwale is 17 years old. She used to stone-crush in Kalingalinga. She was rehabilitated by Jesus Cares Ministry. Currently, she is enrolled in Grade Eight at Mahatma Gandhi Basic School.