Final Appeal of Children and Young People

2nd World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
Yokohama, Japan, December 17-20, 2001

At the end of the 2nd World Congress Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, the whole world still has gigantic question to answer: when shall we have a world in which life is based on a sense of caring, sharing, true love and the protection of all societies and individuals from all forms of abuse, discrimination and exploitation? A world free from commercial sexual exploitation of children.

The importance of the participation of children and young people cannot be overemphasized with particular reference to the experiential young people who really are the experts on the issue at hand. This is therefore a giant step in the right direction for the voices of the children and young people present here today and of those who cannot be here physically to be fully considered and incorporated in all agendas for action.

As mentioned by many speakers, those affected directly or indirectly are waiting to here, see and believe in what actions we currently sitting on. Where do we go from here? It need not be a question for pondering for anyone now. We expect that every one is leaving Yokohama with a clear sense of direction as to how we, together, are going to make this world a better place to live.

As the Congress is declared closed, as we leave this room, as we hug each other, as we shake hands, as we pack our luggage, as we depart for our various destinations, in the planes and cars, as we arrive, as we report to our governments, NGOs and agencies, as we draw our budgets, as we plan our activities as we implement, monitor, evaluate and re-plan, please for the sake of the children and young people of the world, consider the following points:

1. Education, life skills development, awareness raising and advocacy about CRC and CSEC for all sexes and age groups should be one of the most important components of all prevention efforts.
2. Government support for children and young people's participation in terms of funding, legislation, and human resource development brings us one step closer to finding solutions that more effective, more appropriate, and more sustainable.
3. There is a need to address gender issues in CSEC, because the way we raise boys and girls in our communities create male-dominant societies that allow the commercial sexual exploitation of both girls and boys, including children who identify an homosexuals, transgendered or transsexual.
4. Governments and communities must begin to seriously fight corruption, as it is not only a barrier in our struggle to eliminate CSEC but is also a contributing factor to the continued growth of CSEC.
5. Multi-sectoral cooperation in the fight against CSEC is invaluable. The sharing of knowledge, resources and skills of Government Agencies, NGOs, community organizations, children and young people's organizations allows us to increase our reach and multiply our strength.
6. The causes of CSEC are multiple and have an interactive and dynamic relationship. Decisions and actions are better informed by comprehensive research efforts especially on the demand factors (people who buy sex from children).
7. Efforts must be made to ensure that exploiters are the ones punished, not children and young people who have been exploited.
8. There is a need for better harmonization of national legislations in line with international treaties and cooperation between law enforcement agencies at all levels, as well as strict enforcement, monitoring and evaluation of these laws.
9. The media has a crucial role to play in the eradication of CSEC. Media personnel should endeavor to make provisions for airtime, print space or cyberspace that would educate the general public about CSEC and related issues, and facilitate the effective participation of young people.
10. Positive cultural, traditional and religious values should be used in the fight against CSEC and the practices that are harmful or that make children vulnerable to CSEC are eliminated.
11. Our cultures are wellsprings of creative ideas and effective means for fighting CSEC. Programs that aim to combat CSEC should be made with the consideration of these cultural, political and economic diversity, as well as individual differences.
12. There is a need for relevant, long-term, comprehensive and accessible services for those who experience commercial sexual exploitation that need exiting points and healing.
13. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child must be used as a guiding tool for all legislation, plans of action, and services related to fight against CSEC. We believe that if children's rights to survival, development, protection and participation are not ensured, we can NEVER eliminate CSEC.

This appeal is on behalf of all the children and young people of the world to governments and agencies all over the world, including those who could not be here with us: and we expect the governments and agencies to exhibit their political will to implement the commitments to fight CSEC.

We promise to exert efforts to build a network of children and young people across the globe, and initiate a fund to facilitate the implementation of CSEC related activities worldwide.

As we finally appeal for the recognition of the above points, we encourage all parties to donate to the fund and consider the possibilities of observing a day in recognition of the worldwide struggle against CSEC.

Thank you for your attentive listening.