Representing a minority?

The children's movements see themselves as a social movement. As in all social movements, the active members are initially only a minority. The children's movements act in public and make political demands which take into account the interests of all working children. They give a completely new dimension to the issue of child labour by insisting on self-determination and the rights of children and advocating better working conditions.

The organised children work under very different conditions - the problems they face are correspondingly diverse. When discussing possible solutions together, different perspectives and experiences often flow into the discussion, which is often helpful in developing coping strategies.

The African Movement of Working Children and Youth, for example, insists that decisions made by grassroots groups in their towns benefit all working children in the respective town.

Updated: 14.12.2020