Submitted by crinadmin on
Final Appeal of Children and Young People - 2nd World Congress
Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, Yokohama,
Japan December 17-20, 2001
At the end of the 2nd World Congress Against Commercial Sexual
Exploitation of Children, the whole world still has a gigantic
question to answer: when shall we have a world in which life is
based on a sense of caring, sharing, true love and the protection
of all societies and individuals from all forms of abuse,
discrimination and exploitation? A world free from commercial
sexual exploitation of children.
The importance of the participation of children and young people
cannot be overemphasized with particular reference to the
experiential young people who really are the experts on the
issue at hand. This is therefore a giant step in the right direction
for those who feel they know it better. However, there is still the
need for the voices of the children and young people present
here today and of those who cannot be here physically to be fully
considered and incorporated in all agendas for action.
As mentioned by many speakers, those affected directly or
indirectly are waiting to hear, see and believe in what actions we
are going to take as we leave those very comfortable chairs we
are currently sitting on. Where do we go from here? It need not
be a question for pondering for anyone now. We expect that
every one is leaving Yokohama with a clear sense of direction
as to how we, together, are going to make this world a better
place to live.
As the Congress is declared closed, as we leave this room, as we
hug each other, as we shake hands, as we pack our luggage, as
we depart for our various destinations, in the planes and cars, as
we arrive, as we report to our governments, NGOs and agencies,
as we draw our budgets, as we plan our activities, as we
implement, monitor, evaluate and re-plan, please for the sake of
the children and young people of the world, consider the
following points:
1. Education, life skills development, awareness raising and
advocacy about CRC and CSEC for all sexes and age groups
should be one of the most important components of all
prevention efforts.
2. Government support for children and young people's
participation in terms of funding, legislation, and human resource
development brings us one step closer to finding solutions that
are more effective, more appropriate, and more sustainable.
3. There is a need to address gender issues in CSEC, because
the way we raise boys and girls in our communities create male-
dominant societies that allow the commercial sexual exploitation
of both girls and boys, including children who identify as
homosexuals, transgendered or transsexual.
4. Governments and communities must begin to seriously fight
corruption, as it is not only a barrier in our struggle to eliminate
CSEC but is also a contributing factor to the continued growth of
CSEC.
5. Multi-sectoral cooperation in the fight against CSEC is
invaluable. The sharing of knowledge, resources and skills of
Government Agencies, NGOs, community organizations, children
and young people's organizations allows us to increase our reach
and multiply our strength.
6. The causes of CSEC are multiple and have an interactive and
dynamic relationship. Decisions and actions are better informed
by comprehensive research efforts especially on the demand
factors (people who buy sex from children).
7. Efforts must be made to ensure that exploiters are the ones
punished, not children and young people who have been
exploited.
8. There is a need for better harmonization of national
legislations in line with international treaties and cooperation
between law enforcement agencies at all levels, as well as strict
enforcement, monitoring and evaluation of these laws.
9. The media has a crucial role to play in the eradication of CSEC.
Media personnel should endeavor to make provisions for airtime,
print space or cyberspace that would educate the general public
about CSEC and related issues, and facilitate the effective
participation of young people.
10. Positive cultural, traditional and religious values should be
used in the fight against CSEC and the practices that are harmful
or that make children vulnerable to CSEC are eliminated.
11. Our cultures are wellsprings of creative ideas and effective
means for fighting CSEC. Programs that aim to combat CSEC
should be made with the consideration of these cultural, political
and economic diversity, as well as individual differences.
12. There is a need for relevant, long-term, comprehensive and
accessible services for those who experience commercial sexual
exploitation that need exiting points and healing.
13. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must be used
as a guiding tool for all legislation, plans of action, and services
related to fight against CSEC. We believe that if children's rights
to survival, development, protection and participation are not
ensured, we can NEVER eliminate CSEC.
This appeal is on behalf of all the children and young people of
the world to governments and agencies all over the world,
including those who could not be here with us; and we expect
the governments and agencies to exhibit their political will to
implement the commitments to fight CSEC.
We commit ourselves to share the outcomes with other countries,
NGOs, other young people and children, that are not present
here.
We promise to exert efforts to build a network of children and
young people across the globe, and initiate a fund to facilitate
the implementation of CSEC related activities worldwide.
As we finally appeal for the recognition of the above points, we
encourage all parties to donate to the fund and consider the
possibilities of observing a day in recognition of the worldwide
struggle against CSEC.
end