TBLI Conference Europe 201110 & 11 November 2011, London, UK.

Dr. Bijaya Prakash Sainju, Executive Director

Concern for Children and Environment-Nepal (CONCERN) Kathmandu, Nepal

Protecting Children’s Rights Through a Global Network

Background:

The global poverty along with the massive population growth and increase trend of unemployment rate has put the whole world into a global economic crisis. Consequently, children under the age of 18 years are forced to work (willingly or unwillingly) in so many working sectors.

The ILO Conventions (No. 182) and UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (adopted by UN in 1989) prohibits any kind of child exploitation anywhere in the world.

Global Population Statistics 6.852 billion by mid 2011

May 11, 2011Latest official current world population estimate, for mid-year 2010, is estimated at 6,852,472,823.

The chart below shows past world population data back to the year one and future world population projections through the year 2025.

Year Population 001 200 million1000 275 million1500 450 milli1900 1.6 billion1999 6 billion2011 7 billion2025 8 billion (projected)

 Source: http//geography.about.com.od/obtainpopulationdata/a/worldwidepopulation.htm

Child Statistics in Nepal

• Total Population 28.3 mi.• Children under 18 yr. 47%• Children under 16 yr. 43%• Literacy rate 63%• Life expectancy 58 yr.• Poverty line 24%• Unemployment rate 12%• Malnourishment 49%• Per capita GNP $420• No. of Economically Active 34%

– (Age group 5-14 years)

• No. of child labour 2,600,000• Children in trafficking (yr) 10-12,000• No. working areas 84• Ethnic groups 125• Officially recognized 93• Bonded children 18,000• Dalits children 2 mi

• - Source: CBS, CONCERN, Cwin, UNICEF and ILO (2009)

India

China

Empowerment

Economic Sustainability

Education

Guided by the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

3E Principles in Protecting the Rights of Children

Principles of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

1. Non discrimination2. Survival and Development of Children3. Best interest of Children4. Rights to be heard: Child participation

EmpowermentEducation

Economic Sustainability

Success in Children’s Lives3 Es

Guided by the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

3E Principles in Protecting the Rights of Children

School support meeting with parents

School enrollment support & uniform distribution program at Sita Primary School

Meeting with parents

Campaign for Education for All by 2015

Child Led Initiative for Empowerment:

Mobile Radio ProgramStreet drama

Trainings for Economic Sustainability

Establishment of Child Development Bank to ensure their saving habit and economic sustainability.

Promotion of Social Marketing:

1. Formation Nepal Rugmark Foundation A joint effort of NGOs and

Industrialists for child labour free carpet industry.

2. Formation of Clean Brick Network: a joint efforts of I/NGOs and

Business people: Environmental friendly and gradual eradication of child labour.

3. Child Development Bank Cooperatives: an initiatives for economic

sustainability.

4. Promotion of sustainable agricultural with more environmental friendly and stopping use of pesticide and use of hybrid seeds.

Mobilization of national network the NACRO (National Alliance of Child Rights Organizations)

Global Network through National and international Level Advocacy for Child Protection

International1.Rotary Club International, 3292, Nepal.

2.International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

(ISPCAN), USA

2. World Forum for the Movement of Children, India.

3. Asian Japan Partnership Network for Poverty Reduction

(AJPN) Tokyo - Steering Committee Member

4. Asian Community Trust (ACT), Tokyo, Japan

5. Solidarity CONCERN-Nepal/Geneva, Switzerland

6. Solidarity CONCERN-Nepal/Milan, Italy

7. Child Rights Information Network (CRIN), UK

8. Child Workers in Asia - Bangkok - Network Member

9. China Association of NGOs (CANGO), Beijing, China

National and International Network Linkages of CONCERN Nepal

National Linkages1.Consortium for Child Participation – Chair Organisation

2.National Alliance of Child Rights Organisations (NACRO) –

Chair Organization and Founder Member

3.Nepal Rugmark Foundation - Founding General Secretary

4.NGO Federation Nepal – Advisory Committee Member

5.Child NGO Federation, Nepal – Advisory Council Member

6.Association of Indigenous Movement (AIM) - Chair

7.NAOSC-Board Member (Founding General Secretary)

8.PPCC (Partnership in Protecting Children in Armed Conflict)

9.Global and National Campaign on Education (GCE)–Member

10.Central Child Welfare Board and DCWB.

CONCERN Nepal works with different line agencies of the national and international government al and non governmental organisations. Its partners are UNICEF, Save the Children International, Oxfam, ILO, Plan, so on. It promotes child rights and creates awareness on CRC among local grassroots level society and launches activities, which protects and safeguards the children living in difficult conditions.

CONCERN team would like to extend our able cooperation to the TBLI conference organising committee to build up a strong network through TBLI world wide participants, which is not only hollow words, but shows the good examples of protecting children through a global networt so that they will have a sound future and can lead a normal & peaceful life, free from fear, poverty and exploitation.

Thank you