(Stockholm & Yokohama)
AUGUST 1996 - 122 governments met to discuss and commit to act against the commercial sexual exploitation of children. This First World Congress Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) was held in Stockholm, Sweden.
Hosts of the event included:
| • |
Government of Sweden |
| • |
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) |
| • |
End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT) |
| • |
The NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child |
This was the first time in which governments, the United Nations, and civilians of various countries joined forces to address the serious violations of children's rights-the right to health, safety, protection and freedom from harm. By consensus, all attending parties committed to a Declaration and Agenda for Action to combat the CSEC.
The Agenda for Action aims to highlight existing international commitments, identify priorities for action, and assist in implementing relevant international instruments. Foundations for The Agenda for Action include recommendations of the committee on the rights of the child, and the special rapporteur on the sale of children. It calls for action from governments, all sectors of society, and national, regional, and international organizations against the commercial sexual exploitation of children.
DECEMBER 2001 - More than 3,000 participants from 136 countries convened in Yokohama, Japan, for the Second World Congress Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). This Second World Congress was hosted by the government of Japan, in cooperation with the hosting organizations of the First World Congress.
The Second World Congress strengthened and consolidated worldwide partnerships made since the First World Congress, and reinforced global commitment to protect children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. Delegates from 136 states joined together with 135 NGOs, 148 NGOs from other regions, 23 intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), and other participants including children, young adults, and civilians.
The Second World Congress held several plenary sessions and a variety of workshops addressing issues of CSEC, particularly child prostitution, child pornography and child trafficking for sexual purposes. Many government delegates made statements concerning their nations' actions to protect children from sexual exploitation.
Three discussion panels analyzed six themes of the World Congress to examine lessons learned, challenges faced, and gaps in coverage. Various partners in the organization of the Yokohama Congress submitted these six papers as background information:
Outcomes of the Second World Congress Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children:
| • |
Re-commitment to the Stockholm Agenda for Action in the Yokohama Global Commitment. Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn (General Rapporteur for the Congress) drafted the commitment based on concerns and input from participating governments, intergovernmental agencies, and NGOs. |
| • |
Increased attendance-including representatives of 35 states who had not participated in the First World Congress-demonstrating an expanding worldwide concern for the growing problems of CSEC. Because the Yokohama Global Commitment contained a re-commitment to the Stockholm Agenda for Action, the total number of countries committed to the Agenda for Action has grown to 159. |
| • |
Message was clear that the demand side of CSEC must be tackled in a serious way. The Second World Congress discussed issues of supply and demand and the necessity of tackling both sides holistically to effectively combat CSEC. During this panel, discussion boldly linked demand to men's behaviors and their role in the CSEC. Groups resolved to further research the role and profile of exploiters, and how society can involve this knowledge in combating the CSEC. |
| • |
Summary document Report of the Second World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children supplied comprehensive summaries of panels and discussions, and suggested next steps by Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn. |
The Third World Congress Against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children is expected to convene in late 2006.
|
|
