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The South and Central Asia Working Children’s Convergence held in Kathmandu The number of children and youth migrating by themselves or with family members It was realised that the challenges and problems being faced are extremely complex. All the working children have returned to their respective countries. They take with The working children who participated in the Convergence, also go back to their home
from 25 – 27 August 2005 provided an opportunity to learn about the situations of working children and youth in other countries of the region, a rich sense of inspiration was gained by the presence of country delegates—both boys and girls—representing many different ethnic groups, cultures, languages and professions. At the same time, it was understood that the region as a whole faces similar challenges. During various interactions, it became clear that millions of working children on other continents are better organised because they have been struggling, fighting and claiming their rights for a longer period of time. In such light, it was considered important that the representatives of working children’s organisations in different countries meet regularly and achieve common understandings for future collective actions.
in search of work is escalating by the day. Often, they are unaware of their destination,
the nature of their future work, nor the working relationships awaiting them. Such
situations have only aggravated their vulnerability. It was also recognised that many
people in South Asian countries are forced to leave their native villages due to fears
of being enlisted in the armed forces by the warring parties within their respective
countries.
If appropriate measures are not initiated in time with the support of stakeholders,
including the state machinery, the situation could easily drive working children to
further exploitation and abusive work. Therefore, on the concluding day of the
Convergence, a committee of working children was formed representing the
organisations of working children and youth in South and Central Asia. It was firmly
believed that the newly formed committee would help draw attention and support to
the causes of working children and youth. In addition, this new committee would be
instrumental in mobilising the efforts of all those concerned in the process of realising
the action points listed by the participants during the Convergence. Therefore, the
children recognised this as one of the landmark achievements in the history of the
working children’s movement in Asia.
them the commitment that they will now further develop their efforts in bringing
more children from different work sectors into their organisations. Further, by playing
an active role in the local and regional consolidation of their organisations in how they interact with the International Movement of Working Children’s Organisations,
the goal of protecting the lives of working children will be enhanced.
countries with a new enthusiasm to form their own organisations. They have gained
from the opportunity to listen and learn from the experiences of their peers and
mentors of how children’s organisations can bring change, helping to protect the lives
of themselves and other working children throughout their countries.