Cambodian Children Join World Congress III in Brazil
24 November 2008

Three Cambodian children travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to take part in World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents.

The congress will be held in Rio de Janeiro on November 25-28. It is an inter-governmental event hosted by the government of Brazil and co-organized by UNICEF and ECPAT, with the participation from many governmental representatives, civil society organizations, researchers and institutions, private sectors, and children and adolescents from around the world.

The World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents under the central theme “The Guarantee of the Rights of Children and Adolescents and their Protection against Sexual Exploitation- a Systemic Approach” is attempted to make decision on what has to be done to halt sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. It is also a good opportunity for governments, non-governmental organizations, children and adolescents to learn from each other and to see what has already been done, since the last World Congress in 2001 in Japan.

Up to 3,000 participants, including government representatives, relevant civil society organizations, and children and adolescent are expected to attend the World Congress III.

Sovann Puthynanarak, World Vision’s peer educator and one of the three Cambodian participating children, expressed her enthusiasm and pride that she could participate in such useful event.

“I hope I will learn and exchange experiences concerning the child sexual exploitation with other children from various countries. More importantly, I can give my recommendations to respective governments to firmly enforce the law in order that children are prevented from sexual trafficking. After returning home, I will share this understanding and information with my people for the sake of child safety,” said Narak.

As well as the three Cambodian children, representatives from World Vision, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and other NGOs such as ECPAT-Cambodia and Save the Children Norway will also participate in the congress.

“The World Congress III is a good opportunity for children from Cambodia and other countries around the world to raise their concern towards sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. It is essential that governments, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant institutions around the world listen to the voices of the children, and reform structure and systems as needed to ensure that children and the vulnerable are protected from all types of abuse and exploitation,” said Haidy Ear-Dupuy, Advocacy and Communications Manager, World Vision Cambodia.

The overall purpose of World Vision’s participation in the World Congress III is to advocate for response to the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents which are community-based and children-focused.

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