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  • The Philippine Global March Against Child Labor

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    CHILD CORE MARCHERS

    A SUMMARY REPORT ON THE 3-DAY CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP & LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR CHILD CORE MARCHERS
    Occupational Safety and Health Center, Quezon City, Philippines
    January 11 - 13, 1999

    THE IDEA AND THE IDEALS

    In an effort to sustain the momentum gained during the GLOBAL MARCH campaign particularly here in the Philippines, the National Secretariat led by Ms. Cecille Flores-Oebanda, in collaboration with other partner organizations conducted a 3-day Consultative Workshop and Leadership Training for Child Core Marchers held at the Occupational Safety and Health Center, Philippines on January 11-13, 1999. It was participated in by 17 child core marchers including 4 adult companions representing 8 countries from Asia and Africa.

    The activity served as a venue to process the experiences of the children on the GLOBAL MARCH, equip them and enhance their skills as child leaders and advocates in the campaign against child labour as well as formulate plans of action that they can pursue in their own country.

    This training intervention was not only meant to build the capacity of the child core marchers but as a preparatory process or part of a groundworking mechanism to uphold the proposed ILO Convention on the worst forms of child labour.

    FROM VICTIMS TO VICTORS

    The Philippine Education Theater Arts or PETA facilitated the said activity making use of creative, participatory and child-friendly methodologies such as simulation games, group dynamics and structured learning exercises, role playing, participant-initiated discussions and reflections. The participants were able to incisively ponder and discuss the 3 main topics of the training, namely : assessment of children's experiences, leadership and advocacy skills training, and goal setting and future planning.

    The workshops helped surfaced the depth of learnings gained by the children thru the GLOBAL MARCH which is beyond comparison to what formal education can offer them. Their exposures, immersion, integration and experiences touched the very core of their being which led to changes in their knowledge, skills and attitude.

    Foremost of these is the awareness on the magnitude of the child labour problem and the realization that child labour transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. Child labour is no longer seen as a local phenomenon but a global reality.

    Significantly, the GLOBAL MARCH boosted the self esteem and resiliency of the children, enhancing their self confidence and provided them a sense of direction not only in the personal level but also collectively. Their outputs in the training were articulations of their thoughts, feelings and perceptions vis-a-vis the despicable plight of child laborers, their inhumane situations and conditions as well as their dreams and aspirations as citizens of this world. Likewise, there were verbal and visual expressions on their awareness of their inner strength and responsibilities as leaders and advocates of children's rights.

    GLOBAL MARCH also made the child marchers discover and appreciate their skills. They claimed that GLOBAL MARCH has considerably helped them develop and enhance their skills particularly in the areas of advocacy, communication (oral and written), leadership, organizing, creative arts and many more.

    THE STRUGGLE GOES ON

    The participants formulated their individual and country plans (a clear deviation from their present state) anchored on their vision, mission, goal statements that bespeak of a better world and a better future for the children.

    As the ILO Conference this June 1999 will decide on the new Convention on the worst forms of child labour, children are called upon to be vigilant in their continuing struggle for their cause. Children, together with other child advocates are expected to close rank in vigorously preparing themselves to the task ahead, zealously campaigning to educate the general public and urge governments to adopt and ratify the proposed Convention on the worst forms of child labour.

    In essence, GLOBAL MARCH being the children's march crystallizes child participation to its fullest. The children proved to the world that they have the ability and capability to lead and advocate for their rights being the prime movers of the campaign against child labour and dynamic partners toward progress.

    These children have touched and continually touched peoples' lives, leaving their "footprints" etched into the consciousness of the people they've met. Although the physical march ended long before, their battlecry in the crusade against child labour remains a vibrant reminder that the struggle against child labour goes on.