Over 1000 MAEJT members join opening march at the WSF in Dakar
The 11th World Social Forum (WSF) took place in Dakar, Senegal from 6th to 11th February 2011 at the Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD). Thousands of participants from different countries came together under the slogan "Another world is possible". A key player in the fight to defend and promote children's rights in general and those of working children and youth in particular, the AMWCY took a major part in this big meeting of the anti globalization movement. 1.800 participants signed the "golden book" of the AMWCY and thousands of publications produced by the WCY were distributed during the Forum. Below are brief summaries of AMWCY's main actions within the Forum.
Opening manifestation of the WSF
More than 1000 Working Children and Youth from the member states of the AMWCY participated in the opening march at the World Social Forum along with members of the anti globalization movement (trade unions, NGOs, Civil Society organizations,..). They expressed their concern and called for action regarding the respect of child rights in general and the rights of working children in particular.
They all wore t-shirts showing their messages: “Let's unite for a lasting development of children and youth" on the front, and "Together for the wellbeing of children" on the back. Music, dance and acclamations animated the opening march.
Activities at the stand
The second day was spent distributing publications of the Movement on the premises of the World Social Forum and running the stand in a lively fashion. The atmosphere was at its best. The WCY stand became the focal point of several forum participants. The WCY ran some very lively activities and hence made a lot of passers-by stop at the stand to either move in step with the music along with the WCY or take some documents or inquire about the Movement, before continuing their route. Some stopped out of curiosity to watch the WCY dance; others joined the dancing or filmed the dancing activity. The WCY could also be seen on National Senegalese TV and Canal Horizon (a news TV station) promoting the activities of the AMWCY during the forum and the concert "Whose fault is it?" and inviting the public to come as many as possible to visit their stand and to attend their concert.
Debate about child mobility
In the morning of the 8th of February, the AMWCY organized a debate on the topic: "Child mobility in West Africa - seen through the eyes of the children." Several experts involved in child welfare participated in the debate. To clarify the understanding of the topic, some people attempted to give a definition of the the term "exodus". All answers given can be summed up as follows: "the desire to find a better existence abroad". During the two-hour debate that, exhibitors and youth workers gave their opinion on child mobility and the perceptions held by the public. TOUNGA, a cartoon produced by the AMWCY in cooperation with “Save the Children” was also shown during this debate. The WCY spoke about the underlying risks in child mobility and the different approaches of the AMWCY to help mobile children. The actions carried out by the WCY over three years have reached 1,053 villages. The WCY also protect mobile children in transit or destination cities etc. The image box presentation (produced by the Movement) lead to further debates and comments about the drawings. To close the debate, a sketch about exploitation of domestic workers was presented by the WCY of Senegal. A way to denounce the bad treatment of domestic workers.
Concert of the AMWCY
As part of the WSF, the AMWCY offered a live concert to the public on the 8th. The university campus moved to the rhythm of the folk sound of the AMWCY dance company from Ziguinchor, the hip-hop beats of "Whose fault is it?" from the WCY of Côte d’Ivoire, John Spriker and Jecy plus other Senegalese (ALAA INDE) and French (Dailand CREW Incassable) musicians, captivated the audience for long minutes.
Intergenerational dialog
On the 9th of February, the AMWCY engaged in an intergenerational dialog with peasant women (mothers) of several countries and Enda PRONAT on the topic: "appropriation of lands". The AMWCY started off this big debate by confirming the generally acknowledged fact that Africa is the most affected continent by this new phenomenon. The WCY took turns in explaining how this fact is experienced in their country. The appropriation of lands is perceived as the expropriation of the poor by the most wealthy, multinational societies, the government, local and religious authorities amongst others for different reasons: infrastructural development, urbanization, poverty, resource exploitation, national domain, etc.. The discussions showed that this problem makes its victims fall deeper into poverty day by day. A deterring slogan was formulated at the end of this day, summing up the feelings of the participants: " leave me my land, my land is my life! »
Debate about violence on children at school
The AMWCY also participated in "The debate about violence on children at school"" organized by Plan Regional. The WCY shared with the audience the actions they carried out in the fight against violence on children. They made the population aware of this problem by going from house to house, by addressing the public and organizing reflection days and meetings with parents, workshop owners and some service employers.
The WCY reminded the audience that violence is not limited to the school sector only. Violence is also present in the work places of children, especially in the market and places of apprenticeship.
They invited the audience not to limit themselves to the general awareness of this problem but to follow the example of the AMWCY to carry out more tangible actions if we really want to prevent and eradicate any kind of violence on children.
