Interactive cultural activities marked the World Day Against Child Labour in 2009 in Central and Eastern Europe
The annual World Day Against Child Labour was marked by events in scores of countries around the world on 12 June 2009 amid growing concerns over the impact of the economic crisis on child labour, and in particular girls.
For the World Day, the ILO released a new report entitled "Give Girls a Chance: Tackling child labour, a key to the future," highlighting the exploitation of girls in child labour and warning that the crisis could force more girls out of education and into child labour.
World Day events were held in six countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Events involved governments, employers and workers, other UN organizations and non-governmental organisations. There were media events, awareness raising campaigns, cultural performances and other public events. Some examples of the most interesting events:
1. An essay competition was launched for university students on the topic of "Give girls a chance: End child labour" in Albania and also in Ukraine on the topic "My future career choice".
2. In Bulgaria arts festivals and competitions involved around 500 children and their families in 3 locations.
3. In Kosovo a play on child labour was performed by young amateur actors during the opening of the Conference on 12 June 2009. Performances were organized in at least the six IPEC target areas during 13-30 June 2009 as part of an awareness raising and mobilisation campaign. Performance of the play was followed by post performance discussions on child labour, with a special focus on girls.
4. Interactive cultural activities were organized for children in schools and youth centres in Moldova.
5. In Romania an art competition was launched for 600 former child labourers. Selections of their work were on display during the press conference and six awards were handed to children during the press conference.
6. Drawing contests were organized in schools on the theme "Give girls a chance: End child labour" in Ukraine and also different street activities for children that do and don't benefit from IPEC projects.
World Day events were held in six countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Events involved governments, employers and workers, other UN organizations and non-governmental organisations. There were media events, awareness raising campaigns, cultural performances and other public events. Some examples of the most interesting events:
1. An essay competition was launched for university students on the topic of "Give girls a chance: End child labour" in Albania and also in Ukraine on the topic "My future career choice".
2. In Bulgaria arts festivals and competitions involved around 500 children and their families in 3 locations.
3. In Kosovo a play on child labour was performed by young amateur actors during the opening of the Conference on 12 June 2009. Performances were organized in at least the six IPEC target areas during 13-30 June 2009 as part of an awareness raising and mobilisation campaign. Performance of the play was followed by post performance discussions on child labour, with a special focus on girls.
4. Interactive cultural activities were organized for children in schools and youth centres in Moldova.
5. In Romania an art competition was launched for 600 former child labourers. Selections of their work were on display during the press conference and six awards were handed to children during the press conference.
6. Drawing contests were organized in schools on the theme "Give girls a chance: End child labour" in Ukraine and also different street activities for children that do and don't benefit from IPEC projects.