A World Congress against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents is a meeting of decision makers from all over the world who come together to find ways to stop the exploitation of children and adolescents. Participants include governments, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia, corporations, children and adolescents. Together participants find solutions and commit to taking actions, so that all children and adolescents can realize their rights to health, safety, protection and freedom from harm. The first World Congress was held in Sweden in 1996. The second was held in Yokohama, Japan in 2001. The third World Congress took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2008.
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3rd World Congress Official Government delegations from 140 countries representing all regions of the world gathered together in Brazil from 25 to 28 November 2008 for the World Congress III against Sexual Exploitation of Children (WCIII). In total, more than 3000 people took part in the three-day gathering, including representatives from government, the private sector and civil society. 300 children and adolescents also joined and played an integral part in the WCIII. The Congress opened on a high note with the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, giving the keynote speech at the opening ceremony. As an organizing partner, ECPAT International took a leading role both at the Congress itself and in its lead-up by mobilizing input from across our worldwide Network and working behind the scenes to ensure that the progress made at the Congress is translated into action. more… |
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2nd World Congress
The Second World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (SWC) was held in Yokohama, Japan from 17 to 20 December 2001. The Government of Japan hosted the event with UNICEF, ECPAT and the NGO Group for the Rights of the Child as co-organisers, reflecting the unique and successful partnership formed for the First World Congress. |
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1st World Congress The decision to hold a First World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children was taken in June 1994. The government of Sweden was approached and asked to act as host country. The Prime Minister of Sweden, Ingvar Carlsson, promised his full support. Shortly afterwards, the Deputy Secretary General of UNICEF promised the full backing of his organisation in planning the congress. Key representatives of the ILO, Interpol, WHO and the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child also indicated their willingness to help. |