CHILDREN CAN’T WAIT - BUSINESSES NEED TO BE ON CHILDREN’S SIDE The Children’s Rights and Business Principles that guide businesses turn 10 this year. Respecting and supporting children’s rights in business operations does not just mean that child labour is not tolerated in company’s own operations or in their whole value or supply chain.
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t is estimated that one billion children are affected by global value and supply chains. About 300 million children breathe polluted air from factory areas every day, tens of millions of children are separated from their parents because of the parents’ work, and as many as one in ten children are child laborers. The realization of child rights in business operations means, for example, that unhealthy or unsuitable products are not marketed to children, that companies promote the safety of children online or that they ensure workplace flexibility for their parents. The common principles provide a practical framework for businesses to look at the realization of child rights in all operations. The Children’s Rights and Business Principles, developed by Save the Children, UNICEF and the UN Global Compact, were released 10 years ago. The aim was to put children’s rights at the heart of company strategies and corporate social responsibility. For a decade, the ten principles have guided companies to assess the impact of their actions on children.
Businesses can make a significant contribution to achieving the global goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by taking into account child rights and the impact on children in all their business activities by 2030. The additional challenges posed by climate crisis, global health threats, crisis of education as well as digitalisation are having a more drastic impact than ever. Children do not have time to wait for the fulfilment of their rights to be taken seriously in the business world. Several businesses have already seized the opportunity to secure a more sustainable future for children and youth. All businesses should evaluate the impact on children’s lives and at the very least minimize their harmful effects. Taking responsibility and action is good business, because as future employees and consumers, children will evaluate the performance of companies more critically than before. More information at www.savethechildren.fi/crbp
Does your company need help implementing sustainability from a child rights perspective? Contact Camilla Ekholm, Global Corporate Partnerships, Save the Children Finland, camilla.ekholm@savethechildren.fi
BUSINESS CLASS | HELSINKI-VANTAA EDITION | SUMMER 2022
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