G20 must protect children from economic exploitation, says World Vision
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 12, 2014 /CNW/ - World leaders must look beyond GDP growth numbers to the human impact of their economic reform commitments, says international aid and development organization, World Vision.
In the countdown to the Brisbane G20 Leaders' Summit, World Vision is urging global policy-makers to ensure those at risk of being excluded from the benefits of growth are not left behind. The organization is also specifically calling on the G20 to protect children from the economic exploitation often concealed within global value chains.
QUOTES
"Today's supply chains for consumer goods are long and complex, and child labour can be concealed almost anywhere along the way. There is a growing demand for cheap products, therefore one of the first steps for any government should be to work with companies and retailers to help consumers access accurate information about who is making our products and where they are made." — Cheryl Hotchkiss, manager of World Vision Canada's No Child For Sale awareness campaign
"G20 leaders have both the responsibility and ability to address the economic drivers of child labour. The G20 represents 85 per cent of global GDP, and these economies cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the exploitation of children. They need to seize every opportunity to improve job prospects for older youth and adults, and play their part to ensure tens of millions of children are not excluded from developing to their potential." — Andrew Johnson, Political Engagement Manager for World Vision in Australia
"Economic growth that only benefits the already wealthy is not going to make the world a more stable, fair and just place. The most vulnerable – especially children and people living in extreme poverty – need to be considered by those with the power to shape the world economy." — Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision Australia and Chair of the C20, the official civil society G20 engagement group
FACTS
- 85 million children are involved in the worst forms of child labour – nearly 15 times the population of children in Canada.
- One in 10 children over five labour to the detriment of their health and development – working instead of going to school, and in many cases, in hazardous and intolerable conditions (44 per cent of these child labourers are between five and 11 years old).
MEDIA RESOURCES
VIDEO B-ROLL of child labour
PHOTOS of child labour
Fact sheet – Ethical Consumerism
Fact sheet – Child labour
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca
SOURCE: World Vision Canada
For interviews with World Vision spokespersons, contact: Britt Hamilton - mobile: 416-419-1321, [email protected] (Tim Costello and Andrew Johnson will be attending the G20 in Brisbane.)
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