DPI/NGO Special Briefing with 2014 Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi
Ending Child Slavery by 2030
Working Together to Give 168 Million Children the Future They Deserve
On Tuesday 17 March, 2015, DPI/NGO Relations welcomed 2014 Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi to a special briefing at the United Nations Headquarters. Mr. Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division of the Department of Public Information, welcomed attendees to the session, and also thanked Mr. Satyarthi for “reminding us of our global responsibilities as the United Nations but also as civil society.” Ms. Susan Bissell, Chief of Child Protection for UNICEF, congratulated Mr. Satyarthi on his Peace Prize, stating that it was a “fantastic recognition of untiring work.” She highlighted a number of details and figures, including the fact that 168 million children still fall into child labour and slavery today. However she also mentioned that child labour has decreased by 30 percent globally. She appealed to the participants to strengthen partnerships and come up with solutions for vulnerable children, and the millions trapped in slavery, labour and sexual exploitation.
Following his introduction, Mr. Satyarthi highlighted that he has been a great friend and partner to the United Nations for quite some time. He emphasised that slavery still exists, and much work still needs to be done for it to be eliminated. Satyarthi made a case that the Sustainable Development Goals should ensure that all stakeholders policy makers, governments, civil society and businesses come together to aid the most marginalized children and give them the opportunity to reach their full potential.
In 2014, Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for “their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.”
Moderator:
Mr. Maher Nasser, Director, Outreach Division, Department of Public Information
Speakers:
Ms. Susan Bissell, Chief of Child Protection, Programme Division, UNICEF
Mr. Kailash Satyarthi, 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Chairperson, Global March Against Child Labour
Memorable Quotes from Kailash Satyarthi’s remarks
“There must be expletive language to abolish child labour in the new development agenda.”
“We live in a globalized world, let us globalize human compassion.”
“I am confident that I will see the end of child servitude in my lifetime.”
“I refuse to accept that some children were born without dignity and without rights”
“We will see the end of child slavery and servitude, each one of you have the moral responsibility”
“We have to work harder, we can achieve it, it is achievable”
“Child Slavery still exists!”
“We have to bring UN agencies together – the UN has the to be proactive”
“Proactive thinking and planning is required to get children out of mines and factories and into schools”
“Favourable conditions will happen when each of us feel like they are OUR children”
“We have to bring UN agencies together – the UN has the to be proactive ”
The Briefing was attended by 180 NGO representatives and their guests.