Transcript Slide 1

WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR
Warning: Children in hazardous work
Geneva events, 10th June, 2011
An estimated 115 million children
are involved in hazardous work that
is likely to harm their health, safety
or morals. The World Day Against
Child Labour (WDACL) calls for
urgent action from political leaders
and each and every one of us.
The 2011 WDACL provided a global
spotlight on hazardous child labour,
and called for urgent action to
tackle the problem. In 2011, World
Day events were held in many
countries around the world. In
Geneva, there were 3 main events:
· School play “Another Side of Life”;
· International Labour Conference
(ILC) Side Event to mark the World
Day 2011 and the launch of a new
ILO report on hazardous work;
· Child solidarity event.
Another side of life... : a school play on child labour
Performed by the 6/4 Anglophone class from the
Collège du Léman.
The play is part of a Middle school-wide initiative to
raise awareness on child labour based on the SCREAM
programme.
Children played for ‘Help, Hope,
Freedom’
ILC Side Event to mark the World
Day 2011 and the launch of a new
ILO report - "Children in hazardous
work: What we know,what we need
to do".
Children from the “Dante Alighieri”
Middle School, Turin (Italy) sang
Dreaming of Freedom, which they had
composed in the framework of the
IPEC’s SCREAM programme.
This was followed by the child solidarity event,
organised by “Le respect, ça change la vie”, in
collaboration with the ILO, in front of the UN
Building in Place des Nations.
Each year, children
donate books to
children less fortunate
then them. In 2010, the
books were sent to
Kenya, Uganda and
Madagascar to create
libraries for
disadvantaged children.
In 2011, the books were
sent to the Democratic
Republic of the Congo
Children signed a “memory book” with
their messages to be shared with the
children receiving the books.
Children made pinwheels, a symbol of
the fight against child labour
The children addressed questions to
the various authorities present: Mr.
Pierre Maudet, Mayor of the City of
Geneva…
“As the Mayor of the international city
of Geneva and President of the
Federal Commission for Children and
Youth, will you invite other Swiss, and
even European, cities, to organize, in
their turn, the World Day Against
Child Labour?”
…Mr. Enoch Mensah, Minister for Employment and
Social Welfare of Ghana…
“What is the government of Ghana doing to end child
labour and ensure that all children can go to school?”
… Mr. A.N.M. Adyanthaya, Vice
President - Indian National Trade
Union Congress…
“As representative of workers’
organizations, what are you doing to
help protect exploited children?”
…Mr. Haji Muhammad Javed, President of
the Employers' Federation of Pakistan…
“As representative of employers’
organisations, can you explain why, when
so many adults are unemployed, millions
of children are forced to work? What can
employers do to help change this
situation?”
…Mr. Luc Panissod, Secretary General
of the World Organization of the Scout
Movement..
“We know that the Scouts are known
worldwide for their engagement in
promoting social justice. Can you
explain how the Scout Movement
contributes to the fight against child
labour?”
Children signed the appeal written by Geneva students …
Two girls from a local school
in Geneva read their appeal
against child labour, written on the
canvases hanging from the giant
chair:
“No to stolen childhoods!”
Children who work are children sold,
With no schooling, no freedom of choice,
no future
To grow up and not to die
To live and not just survive
When I was 10, I played with my brothers,
sisters and neighbours…
And You,
You go down the mine
When I was 10, I was afraid of monsters
in books…
And You,
You are sick with fear in the darkness of
the mine
When I was 10, I watched cartoons….
And You, condemned to forced labour,
You don’t have the right to dream.
Dream! Smile! Play! Hope! Live!
This is why I am at Place des Nations
today
Speak out today? Denounce everyday!”
The Service Responsible for Induction
and Insertion Classes (SCAI)– Geneva
–Classes 201 and 205
Children from the International School of
Geneva sang “Libérez les enfants”
The ILO staff members guided and
participated in the activities with the children.
The Canvas of the School Play was also exhibited in Place des Nations of Geneva.
The event ended with a release of balloons.