American Youth Called to Represent U.S. at Children’s World Congress on Child Labor

Child Labor Coalition Announces U.S. Participation in May 2004 Event

For release Nov. 21, 2003
Contact: Carol McKay
202-835-3323
media@nclnet.org

Washington, D.C.—The Child Labor Coalition (CLC) announced today an opportunity for American youth to apply to serve as delegates representing the United States at the Children’s World Congress on Child Labor in May 2004. As many as five young people between the ages of 12 and 17 will be selected to represent the United States at the historical event.  

The Children’s World Congress (CWC) is the first ever global youth-convened congress on child labor. On May 10-13, 2004, 500 young people from around the world will gather in Florence, Italy to share their perspectives on child labor, engage in policy making, and strengthen their leadership skills in directing the youth movement against child labor. The assembly will be made up of current and former child laborers, as well as student activists who have shown commitment to the struggle against child labor.

Despite international agreements, today more than 115 million children are not in school, and more than 211 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are working. The CWC will focus on strategies to enhance nation-level support for implementation of the International Labor Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182, as well as global commitment for education for all children by 2015.

 “One of the most exciting developments over the last decade in efforts to end child labor has been the dedication and accomplishments of young advocates on this issue,” said Darlene Adkins, NCL vice president and U.S. CWC coordinator. “These youth and their passion for action – not excuses – can be a powerful influence on government decision-makers.”

 The CLC is planning and implementing U.S. participation in the CWC, with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, and the National Consumers League serving as the three lead organizers. Established in 1989, the CLC is the largest coalition on child labor in the United States. Its 40 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, D.C. 

The CWC is organized by the Global March Against Child Labor (GM), the world’s largest social movement against child exploitation with 2,000 partners in more than 140 countries. Mani Tese, a non-governmental child rights organization in Italy and GM member organization, is organizing the logistics in Florence, in collaboration with the Tuscany Region and the Municipality of Florence.

For More Information About the Children’s World Congress

U.S. Activities and Application: www.stopchildlabor.org/cwc

International Activities: www.globalmarch.org/worldcongress

The Child Labor Coalition is a national group that works to end child labor exploitation in the U.S. and abroad and to protect the health, education, and safety of working minors. The CLC is comprised of 40 organizations, reflecting educators, health groups, religious and women’s groups, human rights groups, consumer groups, labor unions, and child labor advocates. The coalition is coordinated by the National Consumers League.