Dear All
The issue of child labor is a challenge in many places in the world, and is an issue which we have learned more about through a partnership between the FAO and Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS). As an international non-profit, HRNS has been implementing programs since 2005, working to improve the social situation of people in tropical countries (especially the producers of agricultural crops such as coffee), the welfare and education of youth, and the protection of nature and the environment. Through our partnership with the FAO, we examined the coffee landscape in Western Guatemala (Huehuetenango), regarding youth and child labor. Some of the lessons we learned include:
1. National regulations on child labor vary from country to country; it is important to learn and understand more about these laws in order to develop tailored approaches and solutions within each country context together with international requirements
2. It is key to realize a regional study on the socio-economic and cultural context within communities as well as value chains (ex. coffee, cocoa, etc.) to build a more in-depth understanding and knowledge of the local context and the situations which could be contributing to child labor.
3. Based on the results from steps 1 and 2, it is important to develop strategies to address child labor, rather than only identifying issues and leaving smallholders without support to identify solutions.
4. To fully address the topic, a multi-sector approach is needed, involving civil society, public and the private sector.
5. This is not a short term process. After our intervention with the FAO, we have continued to support families in collaboration with private partners and other NGOs. We are looking to create better capacities promoting organizational development, climate-smart agriculture, youth development and inclusive participation, and developing family business. We believe that delivering these services to smallholders is key to building upon our original findings in Huehuetenango.
Some additional information can be found in:
https://www.hrnstiftung.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Nueva-Generación…;
https://www.coffeekids.org/2018/04/25/coffee-kids-expanding-coffee-comm…;
http://www.fao.org/guatemala/noticias/detail-events/es/c/1127151/
Regards,
Pablo
Mr. Pablo Ruiz