March 8: International Women's Day

Many greetings to everyone,

CCI's team is thrilled to meet you once again at the start of March. In honor of the International Women’s Day, we present to you a special edition. In 2011, the situation of women worldwide, although improved, remains alarming. Tens of millions of young girls are married before they even reach adult age, sometimes even before puberty. Women in developing countries remain among the most vulnerable of the population, more likely to be excluded from society. Fortunately, women from everywhere are working to improve the life of their friends, sisters, daughters, and granddaughters. Countless men also stand on their sides, increasingly aware of the potential for social change that lies in women, and the importance of this contribution to the global society. Although one is inclined to believe that the issue of women’s’ rights is settled in Quebec, the women’s movement voices its concern: “Always in action, demanding respect for our rights!” to signify a rejection of neoliberalism that threatens many of the achievements acquired by the women here. We wish you all a nice lecture and a wonderful International Women’s Day!

CCI's team

SPECIAL ISSUE: Women

International Women's Day: Movie discussion on the trafficking of young girls with CCI

For the occasion of International Women's Day, CCI invites you to a special screening of the film "BAS! Au-delà du Red Light" (french version) with the CCI team and producer Denis McCready. Where? At the Beaubien movie theater. When? On Tuesday, March 8 at 19:30. Free admission. Voluntary contribution. Gentlemen, here is a perfect opportunity for a pleasant evening to celebrate the woman in your life... For more information (french only). The movie trailer. How to get there?

Photo essay: Ending the premature marriage of young girls

According to UNICEF, nearly one third of women aged between 20 and 24 years old living in developing countries have been married when they were children. Even though child marriage has declined, it is far from over. It is especially common in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa; however, there are important differences between the countries of the same region. See the photo essay of UNICEF.

A woman who inspires us!

“There is no future without healthy children who grow up in a climate of peace.” This heartfelt call is that of Grace Akallo, a victim of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), who has been kidnapped in Uganda when she was only a child to fight alongside the rebels. She participated in the documentary “Grace, Milly, Lucy: Des fillettes soldates” by Raymonde Provencher. She now lives in the United States, where she recently completed a Master in International Law. In addition to being a mother and work for the Rebecca Project organization, she campaigns for the cause of child soldiers with various international groups. Learn more (french only).

Women’s Day in Quebec: Always in action, demanding the respect of our rights!

The Quebec Federation of Women claims that the Quebec Women’s Movement is still in action and mobilized. In the aftermath of the World March of Women 2010, the Collectif 8 (composed of several women's groups and trade unions) urges women to continue their fight for their common wellbeing and rights. This year’s theme evokes a political right turn and climate that is austere and favors a regression, manifested by numerous attacks on our public health system, education, and women's rights, to name a few. Learn more (french only).

A creative and caring former volunteer of the CCI in the spotlight

Congratulations to Ariane Sylvain Salvador who has been chosen by AQOCI (Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale) to be part of the 8 young leaders put forward at the International Development Week, held from February 6 to February 12, 2011. It is with the CCI that this creative and caring woman took her first steps in international cooperation. See her profile (french only). See the video.

Students with a big heart!

They sing...

Touched by the experience of their peers who are being exploited, the 144 students of École Tourterelle decided to record an album to celebrate childhood and remind everyone of the importance of protecting children around the world. The students decided to put 50% of the profits from the sale of the disk to support the efforts that CCI accomplished towards the education of sixty children in Vizianagaram, India. Details of the CCI's project. Details of Tourterelle's project. Listen to these children sing on the talk show Salut-Bonjour. Order your copy of the "Coeur d'enfants" disk : info@aipe-cci.org.

They open themselves to the world...

Eager to provide activities better adapted to the realities of the school environment, CCI is creating an educational kit on the children’s rights and dignity, paying particular attention to the problematic of children exploited through work. Many thanks to Lynette Leblanc and her students at École secondaire Saint-Laurent who agreed to test one of the kit’s activities involving child soldiers. The kit will be available to download for free on the CCI website in June 2011. For more information, contact Arianne Cardinal at info@aipe-cci.org.

They play…

Simon Fortier, Maria, Blanche, Julie and Gabrielle from the Charles-Gravel school in Saguenay organized a successful benefit concert in February! They brought together over a hundred people around a play they wrote, which talks about the problem of sexual exploitation and trafficking of young girls. The audience gave a favorable greeting to their play and was then entertained to the rhythm of the music band The Lost Dimension. The event raised $1000 towards the project conducted by the Rescue Foundation for the social rehabilitation of young girls who are victims of sexual trafficking. Photos and video to come.

News from India

The Rescue Foundation

Between October and December 2010, seven rescue operations by the Rescue Foundation have freed 67 young women in India, Nepal and Bangladesh who had been sold into prostitution and were held captive in brothels in Mumbai. The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy has paid homage to the Rescue Foundation in December of last year by offering them the 2010 Asia Democracy and Human Rights award. Learn more.

Recent study in India: 95% of children removed from exploitative child labor do not receive support for their reintegration into society.

A survey that has been conducted for over more than a year demonstrated that nearly 95% of children removed from exploitative child labor in Delhi (India) received no support from their release to rehabilitate them into society. This increases the risk for children to quickly fall back into a vicious cycle of exploitation. This investigation thus demonstrates the importance of supporting the victims in the long term. Details of the study.

News from Thaïland

The Foundation for Child Development: 30 years of action

Founded in 1982, the FCD (Foundation for Child Development) is a Thai non-governmental organization whose mission is to promote children's development at all levels - physical, intellectual, social and spiritual. Since its inception, the FCD works closely with other NPOs, governmental agencies, village communities, local associations, community leaders, parents and - most importantly - the children themselves so that they are involved in the decision making process. FCD works to develop local resources by emphasizing on the partnership and autonomy of individuals and groups in order to achieve structural and sustainable changes. To learn more (only in french).

2011 World Social Forum in Dakar

African child workers mobilized for the respect of their rights

At the forum's opening march, I see a few children picking up plastic bottles. One of them is almost as tall as the bag he is holding. [...] On the Forum’s site, local and regional NGOs hold kiosks. Among them is the African Movement of Working Children (AMWCY), whose mission is to educate and empower children and young workers on their rights. The main players animating the life of the AMWCY are children and young people, mostly artisans, apprentices, domestic servants, young sellers, shoe shiners, rickshaw pushers and farmers. Follow the rest of this story with Arianne Cardinal from CCI (in french only)

Campaigns and activities in Canada

Campaign against sex tourism

The International Bureau for Children's Rights (IBCR) originates from a coalition of various stakeholders to fight against the sexual exploitation of children in the travel and tourism industry: "We know that the population here is sensitive to children's rights. With this campaign, we ask them to be vigilant and report suspicious situations even when they are elsewhere basking under the sun" says Nadja Pollaert, General Director of the International Bureau for Children's Rights. Details (french only).

Movies to watch

Discover Avenue Zéro, a movie by Hélène Choquette on human trafficking in Canada.

Discover Grace, Milly, Lucy... child soldiers, a movie by Raymonde Provencher on the reality of child soldiers, many of whom are girls.

To your calendars!

May 5: Dr. Viswa Bhushan, one of our Indian partners, will be in Montreal as part of the 55th annual conference of the Comparative and International Education Society of Canada (CIES). He will present his views and expertise gained with the CCI on the issue of "help for the development of education and the release of child workers in India." Learn more.

12 et 13 mai: In May, the École secondaire Saint-Laurent will host an inspiring and hopeful event. A thousand young Francophone leaders (14-17 years old) will gather around the 8 Millennium Development Goals. The founder of CCI, Roxana Robin, is one of the speakers. Details (french only).

  To support us...

Buy the latest CCI cards!

Details.

Spread the word !

Become a fan of CCI on Facebook !               

Help us promote the cause of exploited children! Send this newsletter to your friends!

Give your time !

We are currently seeking a volunteer accountant able to perform our consolidated financial statements. If you are interested, contact us at info@aipe-cci.org or at (514) 871-8088.

Become a member !

Those who are interested are invited to join the CCI to help the community life. Learn about how to become a member of CCI by email at info@aipe-cci.org or at (514) 871-8088.

I want to subscribe to your mailing list and receive your newsletters.