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WORKING CHILDREN AS PROTAGONISTS
Celebrating International Working Children’s Day
 In
the International meeting of Working Children’s Movements from Asia,
Africa, and Latin America, that took place in October, 2006 in
Siena, the delegates present voted in favour of declaring the 9th of
December as the “International day of Working Children”. This is a
particularly important date for the Movement, because ten years ago on
the 9th of December, 1996, in Kundapur (India), a long process was
started that led the organisations of working children to found the
International Movement of Working Children. The Concerned for Working
Children and Bhima Sangha hosted the meeting in India in collaboration
with the International Working Group on Child Labour (IWGCL).
The members of Bhima Sangha marked the
International Working Children’s Day here in Bangalore. They had
discussions about the issues faced by working children in today’s
reality - and about the increased terrorism and violence that has a
direct impact on their lives. They also celebrated their day with a
theatre performance and with several songs and dances. Former members
(now members of the youth association) of Bhima Sangha interacted with
children and shared with them why the Kundapur Declaration is of
historic significance and also about the International Movement of
Working Children.
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'Let
your election manifestoes convey your commitment to children's rights'
Children urge the
political parties of Karnataka to unequivocally express their
commitment to children and their rights in their election manifestoes
by including the issues highlighted below. As they gear up for the
forthcoming Assembly Elections in the State, the children request all
the political parties to take serious note of the issues raised by
them with sincerity and a sense of urgency. [
Click Here for more details]
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The National
Movement of Working Children (NMWC) meet for the 13th time in
Bangalore, India. The NMWC is a federation of working
children's organisations who have united to fight against the
exploitation and discrimination of child labourers. To read more about
the NMWC, click here.
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A
unique consultation took place in Bangalore, India in July.
Children from different parts of Karnataka, representing different
groups of children discussed four proposed State Bills and one
National Bill that relate directly to their lives.
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We, the members of the National Movement of Working Children (NMWC)
are proud to announce the submission of our Alternate Report to the
Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva. Our Government did not
consult us when they prepared their Periodic Report. So this
Alternate Report has been sent to the
Committee to ensure that our views are heard and to hold our
Government accountable to us, the children of India. In our report we
have highlighted our problems and also listed the solutions we
propose, in addition to our critique of the Government's Report.
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We request you and the children you
work with to participate in a National Discourse on the
National Children’s Commission Bill,
which will be introduced in the Parliament during the Monsoon Session
this year. We can collectively use the complied information to
influence the debate in Parliament. We request you to send in your
responses on or before June 7, 2003.
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Parents
cannot be penalised for not sending children to school - Letter to
Prime Minister of India, Sri Atal Behari Vajpayee, in response
to news items carried in some of the local newspapers in Karnataka
covering the PM's interactions with a group of school children in
Manali recently
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'Listening
to Bhima Sangha has been an eye-opening experience. This is an
University in itself,' said P.G.R. Sindhya, Member of
Legislative Assembly, Kanakpura constituency at the training workshop
conducted for the members of Bhima Sangha between April 27-30, 2003
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Excerpt from 'Strengthening
Child-led Organisations'- a report of a Supporting Event
organised during the UNGASS session, New York, May 2002.
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"My impression
of Namma Bhoomi," Maryanne
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A journey in
children's participation
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Bhima Sangha, since its inception in 1990 has taken a strong
stand against substance abuse. Over the years its members have raised
the issue in several forums, have acted against violence related to
substance abuse and have lobbied with the local administrators to
close down liquor shops in their areas.
www.indiatogether.org
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Stephen Henn's article
titled `Child Labour Union', January 21, 2003 at
http://www.marketplace.org/features/child_labor
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Bhima Sangha and Makkala
Panchayat take on the issue of child marriage head on. They
have received overwhelming support from other organisation. It has all
been a process where they also have to face stiff opposition. A
detailed report will be made available soon.
Children say `no' to child marriage
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Child domestic work –
violence behind closed doors
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Children’s
Gramasabha – linking children to governance
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Children as
activists : When they realised that they were not recognised
by the powers-that-be, working children decided to form Bhima Sangha,
a union of, by and for working children.
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International
movements of working children:
Working children are gradually finding platforms to air their points
of view.
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Children's
expressions: We hope
for work that we enjoy and a world in peace
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"Children’s Gramasabha of Keradi should
become a role model for all Panchayats" For
more details click here
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Children’s Gramasabha – linking
children to governance
For more details click here |
