Discussing our kids and teens

Three bodies in Brazil working as partners ? the União Marista do Brasil (UMBRASIL), the National Forum for the Rights of the Child and the Adolescent, and the Episcopal Conference of Brazil ? hosted a seminar on the rights of the child and the adolescent on 28 August 2007. This event held at the Marist College in Brasilia drew about 150 participants from some 100 organisations, including the International Labour Organisation, the National Council on the Rights of the Child and the Adolescent (CONANDA), and the National Association for the Defence of the Child and the Adolescent.

The morning sessions introduced the theme with particular reference to the situation in Latin America. Marist Brother César Henríquez of BIS lead a workshop highlighting the importance of fostering greater dialogue with young people. This was followed by a round table discussion with representatives of the International Labour Organisation, CONANDA, and the Ministry of Social Development on issues such as child labour, sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, and the reduction of the age of criminal responsibility of young people.

The afternoon centred on the defence of the rights of young people in Brazil. Maria do Rosário, the co-ordinator of the Parliamentary Panel for the Defence of the Rights of the Child and the Adolescent, took part in a round table discussion that brought to light the diversity of approaches used by numerous organisations striving for these rights in Brazil.

Finally, a synthesis of elements forming the basis of a document of intent was presented. This document would guide participants in finding ways of continuing their collaboration in the future.