1. First World Congress - 1996

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 ILOrganisation, Interpol, World Health Organisation and the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child also indicated their willingness to help.

I take this opportunity to express my profound appreciation to ECPAT for its dedicated action world-wide against the sexual exploitation of children. It is in response to an initiative by ECPAT that the Government of Sweden will host the World Congress from 27-31 August 1996 in cooperation with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), ECPAT and the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden
Message to the ECPAT Executive, April 1996

Queen Silvia of Sweden agreed to grant her royal patronage to the Congress and to be present at the opening and closing ceremonies. Her support for the Congress and ECPAT work has been and continues to be a source of great encouragement.

The First World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children was a unique event in that it brought together for the first time government, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations. There were 718 government officials representing 122 countries, 105 representatives from the United Nations and inter governmental organisations, 471 NGO representatives and a delegation of 47 young people participating in this week long event.

It was at ECPAT’s insistence that young people were allowed to play an active part. It was the voice of young people in particular which ensured that the reality of commercial sexual exploitation and abuse was kept at the forefront of the debates. “Don’t just listen, but take action” was their closing appeal.

Over 500 people from the media were present at the Congress and reported on events. The German newspaper Die Zeit reported “ the Congress “…was strong evidence of an emerging new power in society- the grassroots NGOs”.

Congress delegates unanimously adopted a Declaration and Agenda for Action. Thus, 122 governments committed themselves to forming “a global partnership against the commercial sexual exploitation of children” and to develop a national agenda for action by 2000.

The Declaration and Agenda for Action calls for action from States, all sectors of society, and national, regional, and international organisations, against the commercial sexual exploitation of children. In particular, it calls for action to be undertaken in Cooperation and Coordination, Prevention, Protection, Recovery and Reintegration,and Youth Participation.

This Declaration and Agenda for Action is a critically important document which continues to guide the work of ECPAT and other organisations working specifically to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

For me it is of great importance that the Declaration and Agenda for Action has been adopted unanimously. ...I am also pleased that you have agreed on a deadline for the implementation of the stipulated actions. This reflects the sense of urgency which must accompany our efforts. We have to act now and we have to act forcefully.

We owe this to the children who have been abused, tortured and even killed by sex offenders and to the children who are at risk of becoming victims.

Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden,
Closing Address to the Congress

From Stockholm to Yokohama

Having organised the meeting of the Executive Committee of ECPAT International in 1996, the Swedish Embassy in Tokyo, ECPAT/Stop Japan, ECPAT Sweden and the Japan Committee for UNICEF organised a follow up manifestation to take place at the Embassy in May 1997. The organisers asked Her Majesty Queen Silvia if she would consider being a key note speaker at the seminar. She generously accepted.

At the time, law enforcement agencies abroad were increasingly complaining about Japan’s slack legislation and the poor level of police action against child pornography and the sexual exploitation of children. When given the opportunity to address Japanese Parliament members in 1996, ECPAT received a positive response from some female Diet (Japanese parliament) representatives.

Queen Silvia´s active participation at the seminar had a tremendously positive influence. Not only did her speech have a strong impact on the participants and media representatives but it persuaded Princess Takamado of the Japanese Imperial Family also to take part in the seminar. The seminar was a great success and media attention was impressive. ... A joint Statement against the commercial sexual exploitation of children was signed by the Swedish Ambassador, representatives of ECPAT International and the Japan Committee for UNICEF. The Statement was handed over to Prime Minister Hashimoto .... [with] a strong appeal for legislative measures.

Shortly after the seminar a law making process was initiated in the Japanese Diet, thanks mainly to efforts on the part of Japanese women MP’s. In response to mounting international criticism about the lack of effective laws in Japan to punish sexual abuse of children and inspired by yearly follow up seminars at the Swedish Embassy organised by the same partners as the first one, a major law package for the protection of children against sexual abuse and exploitation, was finally adopted by the Diet. It came into force on November 1, 1999.

What is described above is not only an outstanding example of international cooperation and partnership building, it also lay the foundations for the Second World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, which was hosted by the Japanese Government in Yokohama on 17-20 December 2001.

Junko Miyamoto, ECPAT/Stop Japan and Helena Karlén, ECPAT Sweden
Akihiko Morita, Japan Committee for UNICEF
Kaj and Toyoko Reinius, Embassy of Sweden in Tokyo

2. First ECPAT International Assembly - 1999

ECPAT held its first International Assembly in Bangkok in September 1999. There had been no event of this kind since the World Congress in Stockholm, and many people from the ECPAT network met one other for the first time. The Assembly brought together participants from over 50 countries, representing ECPAT groups, as well as observers from other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), representatives from United Nations bodies and other inter-governmental organisations, law enforcement agencies, social workers, funding organisations and researchers.

One objective of the Assembly was to develop the capacity of ECPAT groups to combat CSEC. Workshops are an excellent way of doing this and as there is a high level of expertise within ECPAT itself, many workshop facilitators were drawn from the network. A second objective was for members to agree on an institutional framework to direct the policies and activities of the ECPAT network in the coming years. A Constitution was adopted and an international Board was elected. Strategic directions for the coming period were discussed and priorities identified.

Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai of Thailand delivered a speech stressing the need for partnership between government and the non-governmental sector in combating CSEC. In his keynote speech, part of which appears in the following pages, Professor Muntarbhorn, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children and a steadfast ECPAT friend, first of all outlined the multiple roles played by ECPAT and then listed some of the challenges facing the organisation.

It is vital that world leaders recognise the existence of this disgusting commerce and mobilise action against it.

Liz O’Donnell,
Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland

The Community Theatre Group of Thailand performed a play written and directed by a Thai folk artist. The young performers used simple props, masks and traditional musical instruments. The final event of the Assembly was the launch and distribution of a global report, “A Step Forward,” on how governments are keeping the promises they made to children at the First World Congress. Echoing the title of the report, newly-elected Chairperson, Jo de Linde, urged for all ECPAT members to “ … take a step forward together.”

ECPAT and the Winds of Change

Since ECPAT first started its work several years ago, I have been eagerly watching its progress. I remember those small but significant beginnings in Chiangmai ... after the Stockholm World Congress, ECPAT changed from an international campaign to an international organisation ... ECPAT has been playing these major roles: campaigner, reformer, monitor, organiser and implementer. These multiple roles of ECPAT are not mutually exclusive but complement each other. They have ensured a great variety of activities from the organisation and many notable successes as mentioned above. Yet, the path to action is not always easy.

First, there is the critical issue of ECPAT’s own self-organisation and the change from a campaign to an international non governmental organisation. Professionalisation and capacity-building are recurrent themes, indicating the need to build a child-responsive global system which is neither too institutionalised nor too personalised. The wind of systematisation is necessary and it can be well complemented by a personal human touch in its operations.

Second, there is the geographical challenge. To be a global organisation requires more representation from the countries which are not yet well represented in ECPAT, such as central Asia, parts of Africa and the Middle East.

Third, there is the challenge of linguistic and cultural diversity in the setting of universality. How many languages ECPAT will include in its work and how it will cater to cultural diversity will depend upon a gradual inclusive process so that the different corners of the globe feel part of one family with a universal commitment to child rights. However, where the cultural practices diverge from international standards, e.g. local practices which perpetuate gender discrimination and violence against children, they obviously have to be reformed.

Fourth, as ECPAT grows, it is faced with the challenge of whether to place more emphasis on advocacy and reform work at the international and trans-national levels or to initiate more local programmes and be involved in their implementation at the grassroots level. It need not be seen as an “either/or” situation; the two levels of operations - international and local; principle and practice - are complementary, but with limited resources, it is not always easy to apportion those resources for both levels.

Fifth, the need for funds is an inevitable challenge faced by NGOs, and ECPAT is no exception to this reality. ECPAT’s challenge will be not only to seek funding from outside donors, but in the long term it will also need to establish a central savings fund and/or endowment so that it can sustain its operations consistently.!

Sixth, there is the challenge of setting a long-term vision coupled with an effective mission. While the Stockholm Congress used the year 2000 as the linchpin for demanding national plans of action, national focal points and data bases, the work against child sexual exploitation will have to be targeted well beyond that year... A strategic plan of ECPAT is obviously important to outline the priority areas. The year 2001 may also provide a timely opportunity for a review conference as follow-up for the Stockholm Congress, to take stock of developments with a view to propelling action against child sexual exploitation into the next millennium.

Seventh, while ECPAT is a very key actor against child sexual exploitation, the scenario of key actors is growing. ECPAT is faced with the challenge of deciding where its comparative advantages are, and where and how to network well with the other key actors.

Eighth, the voices of the children must be heard more strongly in the planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of concern to their lives. The child is defined internationally as under 18 years of age. A pertinent question, therefore, is to what extent a future Constitution of ECPAT will provide for the participation of those under 18 years old. Even if it may be felt that they should not be involved in actual decision-making, a key challenge will be to ensure that those under 18 are adequately consulted and have opportunities to make their views known through channels which are sensitive and accessible to children.

If these challenges call for a degree of reflection and self-reflection, they are tendered humbly from a long-standing friend of ECPAT, because they are the inevitable challenges of growing up and growing together.

Inevitably, the next millennium will be tested with and by these winds of change surrounding child sexual exploitation: human rights, democracy, people centred development, peace, safe and child-responsive environment, and good governance. The place for ECPAT in this setting will depend upon all of us - our commitment, our friendship, and our partnership.

At the dusk of the old millennium, whither ECPAT at the dawn of the new millennium? A gentle breeze carrying a message of hope with an indomitable spirit well represented in the ECPAT logo - a child carrying a flower, breezing with the colours of the wind.”

Vitit Muntarbhorn, Professor at the Faculty of Law,
Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 1999

3. International Conference on Young People’s Participation - 2000

The aim of ECPAT’s International Young People’s Participation Project (IYPPP) was to increase the level of young people’s participation in the campaign against commercial sexual exploitation.

Young people can offer a fresh approach, imagination and energy to finding solutions to problems affecting them. As young people become more involved in decision making, they develop confidence, insights and responsibility in facing critical issues.

It presents the unique perspective of the youth as they confront such a complicated issue … mirrors the capacity of the young people to analyse issues affecting them and work together to help solve the problem.

Amihan Abueva, Project Director of the
ECPAT IYPPP project (1997-2000)
Excerpt from “Changing Our Lives: National Reports”

In 1997, ECPAT began work to develop a network of young people’s groups in several countries. Training modules on the theory and processes for facilitating the participation of young people were developed, and young people were trained to develop skills, leadership and organisation in promoting youth action for implementing the Agenda for Action.

Other activities included networking with the media to promote child-friendly practices and coverage of youth activities, training young people in communication and journalism skills, and designing and preparing promotional materials with young people.

The Young People’s Participation Conference, held in Manila from 21 to 25 May 2000 was the highlight of the international project. 180 young people from 29 countries made regional presentations, discussed the role of young people in finding solutions and proposed concrete actions for both young people and adults. Those adults who were privileged to attend all say it was a wonderful, unforgettable experience.

Workshop themes, which had been selected by the young people themselves, included: helping survivors and helping mechanisms, discrimination and exclusion, mass media (including child pornography), HIV/AIDS, domestic violence and abuse and child labour.

A song, Faith of a Child, was composed and arranged by Mele Javier Yamomo. The lyrics were by Karen Camposuelo and Mele Javier Yamomo. The song was based on young people’s prayers and wishes and was first sung by The Children of Smokey Mountain and delegates to the IYPPP Conference.

Chorus from Faith of a Child:

We stand together
We know our rights
Hold fast the hope that we can change our lives
It’s not impossible
And we know why

We have the faith of a child
(I am your precious child)

We do not believe that this problem (CSEC) can be eradicated without our full involvement. We implore that all measures be taken to guarantee the rights of children and youth everywhere to participate at local, national and international levels to end the commercial sexual exploitation of children. We demand that young people be empowered to take an active and committed role in decision-making, developing and implementing strategies against the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

Manila Youth Declaration and Agenda for Action

4. Second World Congress - 2001

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.

The number of governments represented (134) was greater than that for the First World Congress, (122) and the number of participants (over 3,000) was almost double that for Stockholm. About 100 young people took part in the Congress. Despite the inevitable fatigue, the Yokohama Congress was considered a success by young people. They all said they had been enriched by the mix of cultures and identities they’d encountered.

I feel overwhelmed that young people have been given the chance [to make themselves heard]. They are speaking from the bottom of their hearts.

Vera Ocampo, young peoples’ representative from the Philippines

The aims of the Congress were to take stock of what had been accomplished since the Stockholm Congress in 1996, to share expertise and good practices, to identify main areas and problems still to be tackled as well as gaps and challenges, and to strengthen the follow-up process to the Stockholm Congress.

The SWC was designed as a “working” Congress. Three panel discussions on the themes Lessons Learned, Challenges and Gaps and Ways Forward were integrated into the plenary sessions. Government delegates reported on national strategies, action plans and legislative developments. Over 100 workshops were conducted and ECPAT organised ten with themes as diverse as campaigning, extraterritorial legislation, Internet safety and young leaders.

Six theme papers were commissioned as background reading; ECPAT being responsible for “Child Pornography and the Internet” and “The Role and Involvement of the Private Sector”. Themes covered in the other papers were the profile of the child sex offender; prevention, protection and recovery; trafficking; the international legal framework and current national legal response.

Prior to the Congress, six regional meetings were held to assess achievements and failures since Stockholm and to identify regional needs and priorities. Documents from each of the regional consultations outlining a common position to guide future efforts in eliminating CSEC were annexed to the main outcome document from the Yokohama Congress, the Yokohama Global Commitment. The final text of this document was adopted by consensus applause on 20 December 2001.

The final appeal of children and young people was adopted during an impressive performance of drama, music and poetry. In it, young people called for, among other things, education, developing life skills, raising awareness and advocacy about the Committee on the Rights of the Child and CSEC for all sexes and age groups, the need to address gender issues related to CSEC, to fight corruption as one of the factors contributing to growth of CSEC, to punish offenders and not children who are the victims of CSEC.

Young people committed themselves to building a network of children and young people across the world, and called on governments to initiate a CSEC Fund for Youth that would make financial means available for young people to carry out activities to combat CSEC worldwide.

The Congress provided yet another turning point for ECPAT. It focused international attention on CSEC, and provided the ECPAT network with a chance to demonstrate its capacities and increase the expertise of its members. The new partnerships formed there will help develop models and skills for future action.

Even if he is not the actual exploiter, every adult is guilty of being an accomplice if he looks the other way and allows the sexual exploitation of children to take place .... If there were no demand, it would not be commercially viable to have a supply. This is a simple fact. If there is anyone around you that is helping to create a demand, then take courage and speak out.

Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado
Welcome speech at the Second World Congress

5. UN Special Session On Children - 2002

The Chairperson, Jo de Linde, and the current Executive Director of ECPAT International, Carmen Madrinan, as well as representatives from a number of member organisations attended the UN Special Session for Children which took place in New York from 8 to 10 May 2002. ECPAT USA played a significant role in providing information and coordinating briefing meetings. The Chairperson, speaking on behalf of ECPAT and other NGOs working to end child sexual abuse and exploitation, addressed government representatives during a plenary session.

ECPAT International with other partners, the Government of Japan, UNICEF and the NGO Group, co-organised a side event to highlight follow-up to the SWC. Queen Silvia of Sweden took part bringing valuable added visibility and advocacy for increasing support within the child rights agenda to combat CSEC.

In inviting me to speak today, you are giving voice to the countless number of children around the world who are the victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. I would like to pay tribute to their courage and perseverance as survivors and leaders in the fight to stop the inhuman crimes perpetrated against them.

Jo de Linde, Chairperson of ECPAT International

6. Second ECPAT International Assembly - 2002

At the time of writing, preparations are under way for the second General Assembly of ECPAT International to be held in Bangkok from 4-7 September 2002. ECPAT groups will meet to debate important questions related to the Constitution, policy matters and strategic directions for 2002 to 2005. There will be elections to the Board and, for the first time in ECPAT’s history, youth representatives will be standing for election. The Assembly will also be an opportunity to organise training and capacity-building sessions.

Above all, this coming together of the extended ECPAT family will be a rare chance to celebrate the richness and diversity of the network: to strengthen old ties, create new ones, share visions, swap strategies and success stories of campaign materials and tools. The Assembly will help to reinforce the commitment, friendship and partnership that is the hallmark of ECPAT.