Report

The main event of the World Day Against Child Labour Campaign in Japan was held on 6th June in Tokyo, by Child Labour Network (CL-Net), the ILO office in Japan and NGO-Trade Unions International Collaboration Forum. All tickets were sold out as soon as the event was opened and about 400 people participated in it. This event was organized as a combination of movie and symposium. The movie "Children of the Dark (Yami no Kodomotachi) " is a story about child trafficking and organ trade involving children in Thai and Japan. Though it is based on a fiction story, it evokes emotional reaction and understanding of how children are exploited. In the symposium, panelists introduced the condition of child trafficking in Thai, Cambodia and in Japan, and discussed the challenges we face and possible measures in order to stop illegal and exploitative child trafficking and the worst forms of child labour.
At the end of the event, the participants joined in "photo action" which is our appeal for the action against child labour in Japan.

Report on the symposium "The situation of child labour and advocacy for the elimination of child labour -learning from experiences in India and EU"

As a part of the World Day Against Child Labour Campaign, the symposium on "The situation of child labour and advocacy for the elimination of child labour -learning from experiences in India and EU" was held on Saturday 27th June at Hosei University. It was organized by the Child Labour Network (CL-Net) and the Ohara Institute for Social Research of Hosei University, and supported by the Citizen’s Fund Grand and Japan Airlines. About 50 people turned out for the symposium.

As keynote speakers, we invited the guests from abroad: Mr.Ragatte Venkat Reddy from India, who is a national convener of M.V. Foundation and Ms.Veronique Feijen from the Netherlands, who is the international coordinator of the campaign ‘Stop Child Labour: School is the best place to work’. Mr.Venkat Reddy spoke of "Elimination of child labour and universal primary education‐Experiences of M V Foundation‐" with a film about the activity of M. V. Foundation focused on youth training to reduce child labour in India. Ms. Feijen spoke of "Stop Child labour‐Campaigning and its results from a European perspective‐" with familiar examples of daily items made by child labour and advocacy of CSR.

In the panel discussion, Mr.Daisuke Shintani, a researcher in Mitsui Global Strategic Studies Institute explained about the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and the relationship between companies and NGOs for child labour issues. Ms.Tomoko Shiroki, managing director of ACE reported on the projects of ACE such as CSR project, Child Friendly Village program in India and child labour history in Japan.

In the questions and answers session, Mr.Ragatte stated that the most harmful factor for the child labour is the indifference of people. Ms.Feijen explained also the economic recession doesn’t and should not affect the consumer’s behavior to refrain from buying fair trade products made without child labour because the factor of consumers choice rely not on price but the motivation to protect child rights. Both of them emphasized that we can eliminate child labour in the world with our efforts.

Objective of the campaign:

This campaign aims to reduce child labour in the world through raising public awareness about child labour and increasing people who act to resolve the problem.

Significance of this period:

12^th June is the World Day against Child Labour, which was established by the International Labour Organization (ILO). Many activities are being developed all over the world to eliminate the worst forms of child labour.

Co-sponsored by many organizations and companies:

Many events will be held during the period by member organizations, which belong to the child labour network, and sponsor organizations and companies.

Why not participate?

Governments, international organizations, NGOs or companies cannot independently resolve problems of child labour. The most important is to cooperate each other. For example, in sporting-goods industry which handled soccer balls made by child’s’ hand, about 6000 children have withdrawn from work and could attend schools through the cooperation among international organizations like FIFA (Federation International de Football Association), industrial companies and NGOs. Why don’t you participate? Member organization can participate in common action, and post the name and events on advertisements.

Child Labour Network (CL-Net) membership still open:

Actually, individuals and 24 member organizations participate in child labour network. Activities like mutual understanding about child labour and transmission of information have been conducted through regular seminars. Entry to both of CL-Net and the campaign exempt the operation cost of the campaign.

Ask for volunteers:

Please contact CL-Net if you can help especially for web creation or advertisements. Volunteers on the day of the campaign are also needed.

Ask for donation:

Please support us to eliminate child labour.
For more information, please email: info@cl-net.org