Taking action to change our world
The Global Goals for a world where children are free from violence and exploitation
Over 150 world leaders will attend the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit this week, from Friday September 25th to Sunday September 27th in New York to adopt the new global goals for the next 15 years. They will commit to 17 universal goals to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and address climate change.
Missed in the original Millennium Development Goals (MDGs – from 2000 to 2105) – the challenging issues of violence against and exploitation of children are now an integral part of the new agenda, in which Member States are making the historic commitment to a “world which invests in its children and in which every child grows up free from violence and exploitation.” ChildFund Alliance and member organizations, including Christian Children’s Fund of Canada, welcome this reference and call on governments, the United Nations, and civil society to realize this vision through decisive actions and investments.
For the past three years, ChildFund Alliance has urged stakeholders to prioritize the protection of children from violence and exploitation in the new global goals. Over 680,000 people signed our petition in support of this call. As part of our ‘free from violence and exploitation’ campaign, over 16,000 children from 50 countries were consulted on these issues, telling us of their hopes and aspirations for the future. Visit www.freefromviolence.org to learn more.
Mark Lukowski, Chief Executive Officer, Christian Children’s Fund of Canada, said: "At a time like this, when world leaders are setting the course for the future of global development, it is critical that we increase our focus on keeping children safe from violence and exploitation. There are children right here in Canada and around the world every day that are mistreated and their human rights are not respected. It’s time to entrench the need to keep them safe from harm, in the new Sustainable Development Goals, 2015-2030."
Meg Gardinier, Secretary General of ChildFund Alliance said: “We celebrate this breakthrough for millions of children who still live in fear and are subject to violence and exploitation. We welcome the new agenda not only for including a target to end violence against children, but also for addressing the issue through targets on education, gender equality, employment and others.
“We all have a duty to listen to children and young people – who have helped shape this agenda – and who will benefit from its implementation. They must be part of the process and have a seat at the table where both their present reality and future is negotiated.”
She added: “ChildFund Alliance is certain of the transformative potential of collective and decisive action to end violence against and exploitation of children. Together, we can change our world.”
ChildFund Alliance welcomes the new global goals as indivisible and universal, and calls attention to the following targets in particular:
| 4.a: build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all | |
| 5.2: end all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation5.3: eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilations | |
| 8.7: take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms | |
| 11.2: by 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons11.7: by 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, particularly for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities | |
| 16.1: significantly reduce all forms of violence and related deaths everywhere16.2: end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and torture against children16.9: by 2030 provide legal identity for all including birth registration |
For further information, please contact:
Bonar Bell, Communications Manager, Christian Children's Fund of Canada
1-800-263-5437 ext. 221 | bbell@ccfcanada.ca | www.ccfcanada.ca
ChildFund Alliance
A worldwide alliance of children’s development organisations, we work in 58 countries to improve the lives of vulnerable and excluded children, help them overcome poverty, and achieve their rights. Founded 75 years ago, our members are not-for-profit organisations which work directly with children, families and their communities. The Alliance seeks to speak with one global voice for, with and on behalf of children. Our vision is a world in which children realise their rights and achieve their potential. www.childfundalliance.org
Christian Children’s Fund of Canada
Christian Children’s Fund of Canada is a child-focused international development organization and a member of ChildFund Alliance. For more than 50 years, CCFC has been helping children and families of all faiths move from poverty to self-reliance. CCFC supports children and communities in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Nicaragua and Paraguay. Currently, CCFC has over 50,000 children sponsored, benefitting more than 530,000 people around the world. www.ccfcanada.ca
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