The book presents the strategies, instruments, methodologies and information necessary to plan and carry out effective action. It makes it clear that comprehensive approaches are required for sustained success. Unilateral and uncoordinated efforts in the past have sometimes worsened the situation of the very children who were meant to be helped.
The book gives emphasis to the active involvement of civil society organizations—in particular of non-governmental and community-based organizations-as an essential element in the fight against child labour. The role and participation of NGOs in action against child labour in different countries varies depending on political culture and tradition. The quality of NGO involvement also depends on their experience and maturity.
Below are some of the lessons learned from NGO action against child labour:
1. NGOs, particularly those implementing their activities at the community level, are able to mobilize community awareness and action against child labour. Strong community participation can lead to prevention of the problem and long-term sustainability of action.
2. Many NGOs have practical experience in creating alternatives for families at risk and disadvantaged groups in society, such as income generating activities, setting up of cooperatives and community savings groups, literacy programme for adults and children, provision of legal aid, family counseling, and so on. This experience is relevant and can be applied in direct action against child labour. Indeed NGOs in many countries are doing so.
3. Awareness-raising and advocacy are important strategies and NGOs often have experience and skills in conducting awareness-raising campaigns.
4. Capacity building, through training programme on various aspects of development and implementation of action against child labour, is required to enhance the effective operation of NGOs.
For greater effect, NGOs also coordinate and network their activities with others, including government bodies, workers’ and employers’ organizations, media, universities, the judiciary system, parliamentarians, and so on.
