“In May do as you please!”
This old popular French saying has inspired us for this edition. What pleases us, is finding you here to tell you about our activities in Quebec and abroad, because we are committed to sharing our experiences with our supporters. What pleases us, is reading what you have written for our writing contest. What pleases us, is hearing from you, when you participate in our activities, and we know that we are an army of youth protectors. This spring edition of CCI’s e-newsletter is dedicated to you, for all the sunshine you bring into the lives of the children freed from exploitation, by supporting our cause.
Happy reading!

CCI's team

Activities in Canada

Just 20 days left to participate in the 3rd edition of CCI’s Artwork and Writing Contest

The deadline for CCI’s annual contest is approaching. We added 2 extra weeks for those who want to participate. Submit your texts and artwork by May 30, 2011. Participate and encourage your friends and family to do the same! Chance to win interesting prizes, such as movie passes, baskets of fair trade products and other surprises. Winners will be announced on June 12, World Day Against Child Labor, and your work will appear on our website. Contest Details.

AVAILABLE SOON: a classroom kit on child labor (for high school teachers)

CCI will soon offer a new classroom kit for high school teachers (in French only). A way to create awareness among students on the exploitation of child labor and of children’s rights in Canada and the world. The kit is free and will include 8 turnkey learning and evaluation situations (LES). For more information on the kit and to see an example of LES (in french only).

CCI will participate in the Sommet du Millénaire pour la jeunesse [Youth Millennium Summit], on May 12 and 13, 2011

Next May, at Saint-Laurent High school, thousands of young francophone leaders (14-17 years of age) will gather around 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDG). CCI has the great pleasure of being in attendance, because we are committed to encouraging the mobilization of young people for a just and fair world. In fact, Roxana Robin will give a presentation on the universal education goal, in company of other key figures in international solidarity. Summit details. Summit poster.

Millennium Development Goals: children between 8 and 14 years of age can also take action

It is within this perspective that the UN has created “SCORE THE GOALS: Teaming Up to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals”, a comic book which aims to bring awareness of the challenges of the MDGs to young people and incite them to take action. It features 10 international football UN Goodwill Ambassadors. Details. Download the comic book.

June 12, World Day Against Child Labor: a day to take action

June 12 is dedicated to the fight against child labor. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), 215 million children around the world work. This year, the emphasis will be on the 115 million children doing hazardous work. This work, by its nature or the conditions in which it is performed, is likely to be detrimental to the children’s health, safety or human dignity. If certain progress has been observed, the results remain weak. As a way of providing a platform for expression as well as various tools to call attention to this day, CCI has created a new blog: le12juin.blogspot.com. VISIT OUR NEW BLOG REGULARLY!

Pas à pas, changeons le monde… an album created for children, by children!

Following CCI’s 2009-2010 Writing Contest and in collaboration with l’Association pour la création littéraire chez les jeunes, the participants’ texts, accompanied by drawings made by students from the École St-Rosaire de Gaspé (Quebec), have been published in an album. On top of the illustrated texts, the album also contains information on what “child labor” really entails, on MDGs and on the importance of education. The album ends with a quote by Alain Gilot: “Un peuple qui prend ses enfants par la main est un peuple qui vivra longtemps” (“a people that takes its children by the hand, is a people that will live a longtime”). To obtain this album for free (french only).

Research Launch of the Coalition québécoise contre les ateliers de misère [Quebec Coalition Against Sweatshops]

L’approvisionnement responsable: un défi pour les organisations publiques québécoises? (Responsible procurement: a challenge for Quebec’s public organizations?) That is the title of the latest research conducted by the CQCAM, a coalition of organizations from civil society, of which the CCI is a member for close to 3 years now. Since 2008, CQCAM examines the practices of information disclosure regarding responsible procurement (RP) of organizations operating in Quebec. The launch of the research took place last May 5. Details (french only).

Our Volunteer Projects

NEW! Get the Cœur d’enfants CD from the Tourterelle School

The result of the hard work of 144 children between the ages of 5 and 12, accompanied by 26 volunteer musicians, this CD is a community work, an allusion to childhood, created at a Quebec public school. To order the CD or for more information on this project.

June 22: Art exhibition, benefitting children

Art la différence presents: children's auction block. A silent auction that will showcase the work of 4 painters, Lisa Noto, Peggy Filion, Isabelle Anguita, Lilison, and a fashion designer, Félicité Donyo. A portion of the profits will go to CCI. Wine and appetizers will be served. Music performance by Steve Paquet. When? Wednesday June, 22 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Where? Yoga-à-porter boutique, 100 Laurier West, 2nd floor. Cost: 5 dollars at the door as a donation for CCI.

News from projects overseas

Supervision Mission in India

Christine Durocher, CCI’s president, travelled to India for a supervision mission in March 2011. She tells us about the youths we are supporting, in both Vizianagaram and the suburbs of Mumbai. Read her chronicles: The Success of Vizianagaram, Ma pellalou, The Smell of India, The Schoolchildren of the Rescue Foundation, Scenes of Life in Mumbai, Appiyyamma’s Wedding.

Promotion of the children' rights culture at the Santikham center

« I’m a child, a human being. I have the right to live, to get a family, a country. I have the right to express my opinion, to learn and have a name. There are my rights, and those of every child in the world. » A recent video of the Foundation for Child Development (Thai partner of CCI) opens on these words. In everyday life, FCD works at promoting the children's rights culture and contributes to make the application of these fundamental rights progress on the ground. Read more and see the video.

At a Glance…

India: still a harsh world for children

Approximately 20 % of children between the ages of 6 and 14 are not in school. Over 20 million elementary school age children do not attend school. Over 40 % of the population currently lives on less than $1.25 per day. Close to 12.6 million children are working in hazardous jobs. India has the highest number of child laborers under the age of 14 in the world. (Source: The State of the World’s Children, UNICEF).

Did you know?

Armed conflict is robbing 28 million children of an education by exposing them to widespread sexual violence, targeted attacks on schools and other abuses, the UNESCO 2011 Education for All Global Monitoring Report warns. The hidden crisis: Armed conflict and education, released on March 1, calls for tougher action against human rights violations, an overhaul of global aid priorities and more attention to education’s potential to foster peace.

The ILO challenges the world to end child labor by 2016

In light of its next campaign surrounding June 12, World Day Against Child Labor, the International Labor Organization (ILO) challenges States, companies and civil society to eliminate child labor by 2016. See the ILO video.

News from the Team!

Bye bye Audrey, hello Larissa

After 8 months of volunteering, Audrey Lémery (pictured at left) has completed her internship at the CCI offices in Montreal. Despite the harsh Quebec winter, she knew how to bring energy, creativity and light to the organization. We wish her good luck in her projects, and her return to her friends and family in France. In March, the torch was passed on to Larissa Sirima, who the entire CCI team welcomed with pleasure…

Changes in Management: the return of Roxana Robin and the departure of Karine Cloutier

After a one year contract as interim general manager, we say goodbye to Karine Cloutier Lévesque (pictured on the right) who leaves CCI to undertake new professional challenges…and fill the garden with the medicinal plants she dreams of! Back from maternity leave, Roxana Robin resumes the management of the organization, which she founded 10 years ago, with new vigor.

The Quote That Inspires Us!

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total; of all those acts will be written the history of this generation. Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” Robert Kennedy, (Politician and Human Rights Activist, 1925–1968)

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