Global Child Forum
2018

On Wednesday, April 11, the 10^th Global Child Forum 2018 was held at the Stockholm Royal Palace. Over 300 participants from around the world gathered to discuss child rights issues. Participants represented global companies, financial institutions, civil society, the UN, academia and government.

The day began with the H.M. King Carl Gustaf XVI welcoming the participants in remarks that emphasizes that the child rights perspective needs to penetrate all activities:

“Companies affect children. And therefore, we must let children influence businesses. Leaders in the corporate and financial sectors have a unique opportunity to protect and strengthen children’s rights”. His Majesty also emphasized the importance of cooperation between different sectors: “In order to realize children’s rights, cooperation is required. Companies, governments and civil society must work together, side by side.” Read H.M. the King’s speech here.

Among the speakers during the day were Lise Kingo, CEO of UN Global Sustainability Initiative, Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, whose Missing Chapter Foundation works to give children a voice in society, as well as Swedish Minister for Industry, Mikael Damberg.

From the organization Time to Talk! two youth workers from Indonesia, Fauza Ananda and Ruth Kesia participated, who reported on their experiences of child labor as well as their call to business to treat their youth workers with care and consideration.

The day ended with a speech by H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria on how the UN’s 17 global goals, for whom the Crown Princess is ambassador, are all linked to children’s rights. “One thing has become increasingly clear to me. Children’s rights are not just part of the Global Goals, children’s rights are what the Global Goals are all about.” Read full speech here.

During the day companies and organizations were urged to sign the Global Child Forum’s PACT Pledge – a pledge to advance children’s rights and business. Nearly 50 leading companies and organizations took up the challenge by pledging to at least one of a possible five commitments – all spurring action on children’s rights within their operations and communities.  Take the pledge here.

During the day the latest version of the Children’s Right and Business Atlas was released and showcased. The Atlas, a joint Global Child Forum-UNICEF initiative, is a digital tool allowing businesses to identify the potential impacts – and explore the opportunities – that their practices and policies have on children’s lives globally. Read the press release here.