“Shop for Change” to end child slavery on World Day Against Child Labour: Five things Canadians can do to become “ethical consumers”
Vanna started working at this Cambodian brick factory five years ago, when she was 11. She spends long days cutting and hauling huge blocks of earth, and then uses her bare hands to feed clay into the jaws of a dangerous machine. (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)
MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 11, 2012 /CNW/ – To mark World Day Against Child Labour (June 12), humanitarian agency World Vision is challenging Canadian consumers to use their purchasing power to help children enslaved in 3D jobs—dirty, dangerous and degrading jobs.
“What’s most sobering about child slavery is that directly or indirectly, Canadians are fuelling it. Our demand for cheap goods drives labour exploitation. Too often we’re thinking of saving a few cents, and not the plight of children toiling in factories, farms, mines and sweatshops a world away,” says Caroline Riseboro, World Vision’s VP of public affairs.
“I met with some of these children in Cambodia and Thailand last month and their stories are heartbreaking. Whether it’s clothing, electronics, food or other products, I know Canadians would want to make ethical choices if they knew how they could prevent these vulnerable boys and girls from being enslaved in horrific conditions.”
“More than 115 million children are doing hazardous work worldwide. Many are forced to work in unsafe environments—exposed to pesticides, chemicals, dusts, and carcinogens. Children are also operating dangerous equipment and doing heavy lifting which can lead to serious injuries,” says Riseboro.
As part of World Vision’s End Child Slavery campaign, here are five ways for Canadians to learn and take action by “Shopping for Change”:
- Buy only Fairtrade and/or ethically sourced products for a week, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, produce and clothes.
- Do a Fairtrade scavenger hunt with a friend or a group to find:
- the most stores that sell Fairtrade products;
- the most unusual Fairtrade product or place that carries Fairtrade products.
- Use the Family Shop for Change Activity Guide to help children become responsible consumers.
- Go big!
- Use the Shopping for Change resource to make responsible big purchases beyond Fairtrade certified products.
- Buy second hand household or clothing items for a month.
- Help a school, church or community group become a Fairtrade zone.
- Read about Shopping for Change and share ideas.
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca
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Shopping for Change Family Activities
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So great to see this article!! It’s hard to comprehend that billions of people around the world still struggle to access basic human rights, and continue to live in poverty. Many of them are forced into child labour and jobs with unfathomable conditions. What people fail to realise is that amongst these workers are skilled artisans and producers, who simply don’t have access to wide enough markets to earn an income that would allow them to break their cycle of poverty. But more and more we are seeing social enterprises giving leverage to these workers. By tapping into ethical marketplaces, you directly support those who need you most. But better still, you can make your purchase knowing you are not supporting child labour, and others working in horrific conditions. Get on board and help break the cycle of poverty!
http://www.theshopforchange.com/
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