Programme

13.30 Get together and welcome speeches in the Colonnades Hall, ILO

14.10 Girls’ team football match, International School of Geneva / Signal de Bernex Football Club

14.50 Award ceremony for the girls’ teams

Participating in the celebration will be:

Mr. Juan Somavia, Director General, International Labour Organization

Mr. Federico Addiechi, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, FIFA

Dr. Eduardo Missoni, Secretary General, World Organization of the Scout Movement

Mr. Roger Milla, World Cup Football legend from Cameroon

Ms. Nicole Petignat-Mouidi, only female referee qualified for both male and female international matches

Mr. Carlos Xavier, Football player from Portugal, creator of football club targeted at child development

Give a “Red Card to Child Labour” in celebration of the World Day Against Child Labour 2006!

Two hundred and eighteen million girls and boys throughout the world are engaged in work that deprives them of adequate education, good health, leisure, basic freedoms and that violates their rights. Of these, more than half fare exposed to the worst forms of child labour, such as work in hazardous environments, slavery or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities such as drug trafficking and prostitution, and armed conflict. The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the first World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) four years ago as a way to highlight their plight.

The day, which is observed worldwide on the 12th of June, is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour, as reflected in the 160 ratifications of Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labour and the 144 ratifications of Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for employment. The event on 12 June will be celebrated with the presence of football stars that will “kick the ball” against child labour, in a match with girls from the Geneva International School and the Signal de Bernex Football Club. The idea behind the game is that girls and boys should be given the time to study and play, and that child labour and its worst forms symbolically get a “red card”. This action is linked to the “Red card to child labour” campaign which since its inception in 2002 has reached thousands of people in all continents. The idea is that the values in football, such as, team spirit, youth empowerment, solidarity among countries, non-discrimination regarding religion, gender and race, are also shared by the ILO.

Using the symbol of the Red Card at International football competitions offers the opportunity to spread one simple, universal message over time and benefits from media coverage. Building this kind of strategic alliance is a very good way to reinforce the global movement against child labour.