The present publication is the result of an online panel debate organized by the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue on 17 June 2021, entitled “Back to School not Work: Ending Child Labour in a Post-Covid World”. The subject represents one of the most pressing issues in human rights today, particularly since this year was declared the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour by a UN General Assembly resolution unanimously adopted in 2019.
The panel, composed of high-level officials and experts from ILO, the UN, international NGOs and human rights workers in the field, addressed a host of crucial issues including the adverse effects of school closures, the specific vulnerability of girls, the patent lack of implementation of existing international legal norms, the problem of ensuring accountability, the situation in rural areas, capacity building, and the need for strengthening social security nets and advocacy. The publication contains a summary of the proceedings, including the discussions during the question and answer session, and the full statements of the panellists.
The Geneva Centre wishes to reiterate its vigorous commitment to promote efforts aimed at eradicating child labour, within the framework of its mission, through continuing advocacy, dissemination of best practices, training and national capacity building.
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Year of publication: June 2021