This is a memo written for Model United Nations for the country of France briefing their position on Children's Rights.

Memo

To: *********

From:Steph *********

Date:9/22/2003

Subject:Child Labor

"States Parties recognize the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development..."

The idea of Children's Rights has long been a subject of relativity. With so many countries, at so many different economic stages, setting a bare minimum of what is considered acceptable is a daunting task.

One issue that has been given a lot of consideration within the battle for Children's Rights is Child Labor. According to the International Labor Organization, globally around 250 million children between the ages of five and fourteen are exploited, working in extremely dangerous work conditions. Although a large majority of them live in underdeveloped or developing nations, quite a large number of underage workers work in farm fields and sweatshops in industrialized countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.

Two girls protesting child labour (by calling it c...

English: Children gathering potatoes on a large fa...

Child labor, can't we try to stop it?

"...millions [of children] are put to work in ways that drain childhood of all joy - and crush the right to normal physical and mental development. Little is known about child work: how many, what they do and how working may affect their development."

Although child labor has been exponentially decreasing in industrialized nations, developing countries continue to rely on child labor. One instance of this can be found within Madagascar's gem industry. Children as young as eight have been working in the mines. According to the International Labour Organization it is because "they can get into the cramped spaces...more easily than an adult."

Another example of an industrialized nation and child labor can be found in Australia. There are no federal laws in Australia prohibiting...