Regional initiative for a child labour-free Latin America and Caribbean marks 10th anniversary

BRASILIA (ILO News) - The Regional Initiative Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour is celebrating its 10th anniversary from October 15 to 18, 2024 in Brasilia, Brazil. Organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), this landmark event brings together representatives from 31 countries across the region to assess progress in eradicating child labour and reinforce regional efforts to meet the United Nations’ Target 8.7—eliminating child labour by 2025.

Since its establishment in 2014, the Regional Initiative has been dedicated to ending child labour in all its forms, particularly within vulnerable populations, including indigenous communities, migrants, and rural areas. Over the past decade, it has made significant strides through coordinated regional actions, focusing on implementing policies and initiatives aimed at preventing and eradicating child labour.

The 10th Annual Meeting underscores the Initiative’s commitment to its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, which guides regional action toward achieving SDG Target 8.7. Key international partners such as the United States Department of Labor (USDOL), the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), and Brazil's Cooperation Agency (ABC) continue to play a crucial role by providing financial and technical support. Their contributions, alongside those of other global partners, help sustain long-term projects like the Regional Program to Accelerate the Eradication of Child Labour (PRAETI), ensuring progress towards the Initiative’s ambitious goals.

South-South cooperation: a key driver in combating child labour

One of the Initiative’s defining characteristics is its emphasis on South-South cooperation, which has been a driving force in the regional fight against child labour. By fostering collaboration between countries with similar challenges and shared goals, this approach allows nations to exchange innovative strategies and adapt successful models to their unique contexts.

For instance, Brazil’s "Bolsa Familia" social protection program has served as a model for other nations, helping families keep children in school and out of the labour force. Argentina has shared its experience in promoting decent work in rural areas, while Uruguay and Paraguay have adapted social protection policies for informal economies, which have proven effective in safeguarding children from exploitative work.

Trilateral cooperation and global collaboration

A hallmark of the Regional Initiative’s success has been trilateral cooperation, particularly the partnership between Brazil and Spain. Brazil, leveraging its expertise in child labour eradication, has provided technical knowledge, while Spain has contributed vital financial and technical support. This collaboration has strengthened the capacity of participating countries to address the root causes of child labour, such as poverty and lack of access to education.

As the Initiative celebrates its 10th anniversary, it continues to serve as a powerful example of how regional cooperation and international partnerships can drive meaningful change. The 10th Annual Meeting in Brasilia not only marks a decade of achievements but also reinforces the collective resolve to eliminate child labour by 2025, aligning with global goals and ensuring a brighter future for children across Latin America and the Caribbean.