:: Opening Address	:: Morning Panel	:: Afternoon Sessions	:: Other Highlights
:: Info Fair Exhibitors

2005 CTAUN Conference A World Out of Balance: Searching for Answers Through Education and the United Nations Friday, February 4, 2005

Morning Panel—Issues in a World Out of Balance

Dr. Nancy Brown, Dean of the Graduate School, The College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, N.Y., Moderator. Dr. Brown opening the panel by suggesting that we begin by thinking about children we know in our own homes and schools. Children around the world may have much different experiences, being subjected to child labor, child trafficking, migration, and they may experience these things at different times in their lives. How can we help the children with whom we are in touch understand what children in other parts of the world may be going through? She then introduced the speakers. Mr. Djankou Ndjonkou, Director, New York Office, International Labor Organization (ILO). Mr. Ndjonkou stressed the fact that the ILO pays great attention to human rights issues, particularly as they have an impact on the most vulnerable groups, such as children, and that they work with all agencies to address these issues. Child labor is one of ILO's core concerns. The first summit on child labor was held in 1990. In 1992 it launched the IPEC program, which is now working in 82 countries to eliminate child labor. Child labor is a complex phenomenon and can take on forms that are complex and at times hidden. Domestic labor is hard to monitor. Other forms, such as drug trafficking, child soldiers or prostitution are more visible. These are the worst forms of child labor. Among reasons for the spread of child labor are: poverty, which is undoubtedly the main reason; a lack of social support systems; the number of children in a family; migration; and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Child labor is not restricted to developing countries; it is a world-wide problem. The number of children involved is estimated to be between 200 million and 240 million. It is seen as the major obstacle to the education of children. Carol Smolenski, Executive Director, ECPAT-USA (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography, and Trafficking Children for Sexual Purposes). According to Ms. Smolenski's group, from 14,000 to 17,000 children are trafficked into the United States each year. Trafficking is defined as being brought into a country and then held under some sort of control. There are various types of control situation, including domestic work, factory work, food service, construction work, agricultural work, and prostitution. Children are brought from many countries and through many routes, such as from Central America and through Mexico into the U.S. Sometimes children are kidnapped, sometimes they run away from home to escape child abuse or for other reasons. Children may be left homeless from war. Ms. Smolenski cited the notice given to the possibilities of trafficking due to the recent tsunami, and stated that this could be a long-term risk. Street children in general are vulnerable, as are all children who have no one to care for them. Sometimes the trafficker forms an emotional bond with the child, promising a better life. There may be from 200,000 to 300,000 children now trafficked into the United States. Child trafficking is a supply and demand business. However, people are now speaking out against this situation. Memos of understanding have been drafted among governments to accomplish repatriation. Legislation against sexual trafficking has now been passed in the United States. Ms. Smolenski encouraged the attendees to read the ECPAT brochure available at the conference and be willing to hear about and talk about these issues. At the end of the session, a question from the audience referred to the statement that child prostitution is a "supply and demand" situation, asking whether there was an increased demand. Ms. Smolenski responded that the demand for children in the sex business is very real. Children are being sexualized at a younger age, and the demand for younger children is increasing. Dr. Eva Sandis, Member of the NGO Center for Migration Studies and Vice-Chair, NGO Committee on the Family. Dr. Sandis noted that increased migration is one of the chaotic issues in a world that is out of balance, particularly with regard to the economy. After citing a number of reasons that might affect migration patterns, she focused particularly on globalization. Stating that globalization has had benefits, she discussed the growth in finance and in trade from far-flung regions. Transnational corporations have developed new strategies in the production process, breaking processes into discrete piece and farming these out to various locations. As a result, the strength of working groups is being eroded or destroyed. Dr. Sandis indicated that there are direct links between global economy and migration. There are not only an increased number of migrants, there are also new geographical patterns. Migration used to be primarily from south to north; now migrants go to any country where there is a possible need for labor. It has been estimated that three percent of the world's population are migrants. In suggesting ways that issues regarding migration might be addressed, Dr. Sandis suggested that it is important to spell out the linkages between a global market economy and migration. Should people have to migrate in order to survive economically? The reality is that most people would prefer to live in their own countries. More effort should be made to develop a fairer globalization process. Globalization should be steered away from narrow economic competition and should be people centered. It is also important to reduce internal conflicts that destroy a nation's infrastructure. Finally, it is important to realize that all migrants suffer disadvantages in different countries. It is important to monitor existing regulations on migrant workers and to look at the particular needs of women in this regard.

Go Back  Top