Final Declaration

Since 1994 we have been acting to achieve our right to "stay in the village and not to exodus" and to fight against all forms of exploitation.

In 2004 we set up a plan to fight against “early exodus and child trafficking” in eight countries in West Africa. Three years later, we decided to conduct a study to better understand where we are. For five months, we gathered hundreds of stories and interviews from children, parents, authorities, transporters, etc... Together, we analyzed all the information in five countries, and then, here in Bamako, we reflected on the lessons to be drawn from all this information and analysis.

Exploitation is to make a child work a long time, hard and excessively, refusing to pay all or a part of the agreed wage. Not to respect the agreement or contract. To take a maximum advantage of the child work to make profits, and not allow him/her to thrive by materializing his/her 12 rights of WCY

Child abuse and violence are common and well known; we reject the imposition of physical and psychological sufferings to the children, the same sufferings that no one would like for himself/herself.

Child trafficking is like trading. The child is moved, exploited, abused, even if he had wanted to go he would never find what he looked for. They flout his/her dignity. Even if it is not easy to understand when there is "trafficking", we must denounce and prevent it from continuing. To well listen to and help children: if they want to go back, just help them to go, if they want to stay and get trained, help them to stay.

Early exodus is bad, we do everything we can to prevent it.

The exodus that benefits only adults who organize it is bad, we condemn it; sometimes it turns into "Child Trafficking" which we denounce.

But we cannot stop those who want to leave and discover city life. Our struggle is gradual to help children in the villages to have a more enjoyable life, and delay as much as possible the age of their departure.

We inform them, especially about the risks of exploitation and abuse, and give them some advice for their safety.

• There are a lot of dangers and risks that you may face!

• Look for the right information. Ask for information before you leave. Once there, do not let people take advantage of you, well analyze the promises before accepting a job.

• Do not remain isolated, but rather get organized in the village and in town, remain in touch with us.

Parents are not always able to prevent their children from leaving, sometimes they even encourage them to do so. We tell them:

• Educate through dialogue, to have their views and opinions, not through violence, brutality and insults. Improve the way of educating your children so that they feel at ease at home.

• Do not let your children leave very early to town to work.

• If they go leave, remain in touch with your children, pay attention to them, if possible call on them

Our authorities should do everything possible to help in the development of villages

• Reinforce education (and provide schools with materials), health, training, socio-economic and leisure structures in the villages so that children have the desire for staying there.

• Promote birth registration and the identification of children.

• Strengthen the safety of children, make sure that they are not exploited by punishing those who exploit us and abuse us.

• Help child-led organizations (AWCYs, parliaments) by providing the material, human and financial resources to intensify their actions.

The other actors should be united to act effectively

Institutions and NGOs

• Act more in the villages (starting points) to encourage children to stay

• Help children in the villages to develop activities (IGA, training)

• Support the initiatives of child led organizations.

Trade Unions of transporters

•Be vigilant and do not be accomplices.

As for us, the AMWCY, we should focus on prevention: awareness, organization, listening, orientation, education, and training.

Inform on the risks and consequences of exodus, share information on the existence of AWCYs everywhere.

We must reinforce the communication between our AWCYs. Listen to and support children - our friends- who come into our communities.

If life in the village improves, the children will no longer want to flee to the city.

Where children are organized, they are better protected and their rights more respected.

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Written in Bamako on October 19th, 2007