The
Children's World Congress has shown in a big
way that children from all over the world want
one and the same thing – the chance to enjoy
childhood! Therefore children took the reins
in their hands for the first ever Children's
World Congress on Child Labour in Florence,
Italy from May 10 until May 13 . The goal of
the Children's World Congress was to give children
the opportunity to emerge as social activists
and world leaders at the forefront of the fight
for children's rights. Children's opinion of
their needs, fears, hopes and desires are critical
in identifying effective strategies to combat
the problems they face (Concept
paper). The very process of listening to
children and involving them is an important
step in helping them. The Children's World Congress
was not just one international event but a process
to empower children to make them realise that
they are capable of creating a new world free
of child labour.
Children
went beyond the barriers of country borders,
languages and background to put across their
views lucidly and share information quite effectively.
The powerful Children's Declaration
has proved that united with one aim, kids
can make a difference.
The
heartfelt words of children that energised one
and all present in Florence left an indelible
mark to take prompt action on the demands made
by children for a child labour free world through
education for all programmes and poverty eradication
strategies. You can read a short account on
the World Congress.
Children
are putting forward their commitment in the
form of various activities in their respective
countries. To know more about the activities
in all the regions, please <click>
here.
Now
it is the turn of the civil society, the governments,
INGOs and businesses to fulfill the demands
made by children in their Declaration.
