GLOBAL VOTE FOR THE WCPRC

On 18 and 19 March, Hand in Hand joined over 16 million children in 87 countries across the globe and participated in the Global Vote for the World's Children's Prize for Rights of the Child (WCPRC).

Voting was held in 40 of our transit schools, our three residential schools, and two of the government-run schools that we work with.

In true Tamil Nadu style, the Vote Day was celebrated with bright decorations, music, dance, and high spirits. The schoolchildren, many of whom have harsh personal experiences from being engaged in child labour activities, were very excited to learn about and promote their rights. A film crew consisting of Ms Johanna Hallin and Ms Ragna Jorming from WCPRC in Sweden attended the vote, and, together with the children, they discussed the three global candidates, watched cultural programmes, cast their votes, and even took charge of the voting and ballot counting process itself.

WCPRC is based on the UN Child Convention and strengthens the voices of children, connecting them together across countries and continents, and helps them to demand respect for the rights of the child. It holds an annual vote for global candidates who have made significant contributions to protecting and promoting the rights of children. Their material is available in ten different languages and school participation registration can be found at www.childrensworld.org.

For further reading, please see the article in The Hindu, 22 March 2008 here.