Call to Youth!

If you are between the ages of 12 and 17, you could be chosen as a U.S. youth delegate to the Children’s World Congress on Child Labor!

Contingent on funding, the United States will send up to five youth delegates to the Congress, scheduled for May 10-13, 2004, in Florence, Italy. 

Applications will be evaluated and semi-finalists chosen by an independent panel.  Applications will be evaluated based upon the merits and completion of the application packet. Youth delegates will be chosen by the semi-finalists. Every effort will be made to ensure that the U.S. delegation will be balanced by gender, as well as between student activists and child laborers.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants are between the ages of 12 and 17.
  • Applicants are either a former or current child laborer or a youth activist against child labor.
  • Applicants possess parent/guardian permission.
  • Applicant completes application packet postmarked on or before January 15, 2004.

Youth Delegate Responsibilities

  • Participate in spring meeting in Washington, DC  on March 5-7 for pre-event planning and to develop a national action plan, which will be shared at the CWC.
  • Participate at the Children’s World Congress, in Florence, May 10-13, 2004.
  • Participate in post-CWC activities.
  • Be available for media interviews at pre- and post-CWC events.
  • Secure passport.

Chaperones

The Global March Against Child Labor and the Child Labor Coalition are committed to ensuring appropriate adult chaperones are secured to accompany U.S. youth delegates on all travel. 

In consultation with parents and schools, the Child Labor Coalition will select at minimum one chaperone per four youth participants.  Chaperones are responsible for the welfare and safety of the youth at all times for both travel to Washington, DC for pre-event (and perhaps post-event) activities and for travel to Florence, Italy.  The responsibilities of the accompanying chaperones will be fully explained and agreed upon before selection. 

Criteria for Selection of the Chaperones:

  • Chaperones must speak the same language as the children they accompany.
  • Bilingual chaperones (especially Italian) are encouraged to help youth communicate with other youth represented at the CWC and for ease in logistics within Italy.
  • Chaperones should have experience in the field of child labor and/or child rights.
  • Gender balance will be represented among chaperones.  There will be at least one female and one male chaperone, if the group of youth participants includes both sexes.

The Child Labor Coalition and its sponsors will provide:

  • Funding for all approved travel expenses related to pre- and post-events, and participation in the CWC.  (Exception: Youth are responsible for obtaining passport.)
  • Training and networking opportunities for U.S. youth participants.
  • Appropriate chaperones for all travel.
  • Planning and coordination of all pre- and post-CWC activities and responsibilities.

Congress Sponsors

The Congress is planned by the Global March Against Child Labor.   The Global March Against Child Labor (GM) is the world’s largest social movement against child exploitation, with 2,000 partners in more than 140 countries.  Its roots date from 1998, when hundreds of NGOs organized a march by children and adults across five continents, which culminated in a large presence at the International Labor Organization headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. After the march, these groups continued to work together as the Global March Against Child Labor, headquartered in New Delhi, India and led by Kailash Satyarthi, Chair of the South Asian Coalition Against Child Labor.

An Italian child rights organization, Manitese, is hosting the event.  Manitese, a member of the Global March Against Child Labor network, is arranging accommodations for the 500 youth and chaperones who will attend the event.

GM member Child Labor Coalition (CLC) is spearheading the planning and implementation of U.S. participation in the CWC.  Established in 1989, the CLC is the largest coalition on child labor in the United States.  Its 40 non-governmental organization members are committed to protecting working minors and ending child labor exploitation in the U.S. and abroad.  The CLC is coordinated by the National Consumers League, a non-profit, membership organization based in Washington, DC, which also acts as the CLC’s fiscal agent.

 

For More Information About the CWC

Global March Against Child Labor
L-6, Kalkaji
New Delhi – 110019   INDIA
Phone: 91-011-26224899
Fax: 91-011-26236818

www.globalmarch.org

Child Labor Coalition
1701 K Street, NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC  20006
Phone:  202-835-3323
Fax:  202-835-0747

www.stopchildlabor.org

 [CLC Home] [Contact CLC] [Join CLC] [NCL Home]