P R E S S R E L E A S E

The Hague, 10 June 2009. 12 June 2009, World Day Against Child Labour

Photo book, raising awareness of child labour, to be presented in Brussels, Geneva, New York In June 2009, in celebration of World Day Against Child Labour a significant step will be taken towards the awareness of child labour. In Brussels, Geneva and New York the photo book A world for children - Growing up without child labour will be offered to representatives of organizations that have a decisive influence in the battle against this inhumane phenomenon. Their headquarters are based in these cities. All members and delegates of the European Parliament (EP), the European Commission (EC), the International Labour Office (ILO) and the United Nations (UN) will receive a copy of this book. The publication shows and tells how child labour is born and how it is sustained by the people who profit from it. The book also shows the solutions available. A world for children by Peter de Ruiter, a Dutch travel photographer and writer concerned with the fate of children who are kept away from school and have no future apart from poorly paid manual labour. Children who will never be able to contribute to the progress of their country.

The English edition of the book, introduced in the Netherlands in 2008, is supported not only by Dutch citizens. But also a broad coalition of Dutch and international authorities, businesses and relief organizations: the Dutch ministries of Foreign Affairs, of Development Cooperation and of Social Affairs and Employment; multinational firms ING Bank and Philips; World Vision, KidsRights, Plan, the Bernard van Leer Foundation, ICCO / Kerk in Actie and the European campaign Stop Child Labour (including Hivos, FNV (Federation of Dutch Trade Union), AOb en ICN in the Netherlands). For this book, Peter de Ruiter travelled to nine countries in Asia, Africa and South America to document child labour. He also came across child labour in the Netherlands and other European countries.

General information For any information writer / photographer Peter de Ruiter is available on +31 (0)70 306 0013 and (mobile) +31 (0)62 604 6210, mail@peterderuiter.nl

Geneva / ILO A representative of the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment will present the book to the ILO in Geneva, on 11 June at 14H30, during the International Labour Conference at the Palais des Nation. Peter de Ruiter will attend the presentation. For specific information on the presentation in Geneva contact Peter de Ruiter or Marianne Grilk, +31 (0)70 333 4808 / (mobile) +31 (0)61 830 0204, cgrilk@minszw.nl

New York / UN World Vision will present the book at a press conference at the UN offices in New York on Friday 12 June. Peter de Ruiter will attend the presentation. For more specific information on the presentation in New York contact Peter de Ruiter or Roeland Boes, +31 (0)33 464 3444 +31 (0) 66142 41 501 (mobile), roeland_boes@worldvision.nl

Brussels / EU and EC The European campaign Stop Child Labour will present the book in Brussels , in cooperation with KidsRights and Plan. The presentation will take place on or around 18 June at the European Forum on Child Rights. Peter de Ruiter will attend the presentation. For specific information on the presentation in Brussels contact Peter de Ruiter or Veronique Feijen / Hivos, +31 (0)70 376 5500 / +31 (0) 6832 454 86 (mobile), v.feijen@hivos.nl

Downloads Download the cover in high resolution and the jacket at www.aworldforchildren.net > press On request a PDF of the book in English is available, as well as high-resolution photographs from the book.

SUMMARY Child labour is not a natural phenomenon

There seems to be a persistent misconception about child labour: first the poverty problem must be solved and then child labour will no longer be necessary. This is putting the cart before the horse. Poverty is in fact not the cause of child labour but it is a result of child labour. The fight against poverty must begin with the fight against child labour. Children can contribute to the development of their country, in the future, but only if they are given a chance to go to school now.

"In A world for children - Growing Up Without Child Labour" author and photographer Peter de Ruiter touches a raw nerve. During his travels in nine countries across three continents he began to understand the reality of child labour, how it originates and why. He made notes of the fallacies created to justify why children should work. He photographed the injustice the children are subjected to. And he offers solutions! The reader is given different ideas on how to personally take action against child labour.

Children must go to school. They must play and learn and be allowed to develop their full potential. It is up to adults to create a world in which children can do exactly that: a world for children. Child labour is not a natural phenomenon. It was created by man and can be ended by man.

"A world for children" is targeted at a wide audience: consumers, aid organization employees, politicians, students, children from about the age of ten and anyone who feels touched by the subject. The more than 400 gripping photos and the critical text spread just one message: stop child labour now.

Peter de Ruiter Dutch travel photographer and author Peter de Ruiter (1960) spent many years travelling around the world. On his travels he was regularly confronted by children begging or working, children who for these or many other reasons do not attend school. To write this book he went in search for what was behind this distressing phenomenon - in the hope that his words and images would contribute to a solution. His degrees in sociology and mass communication helped him understand and publicize the subject.

More information on this book can be found on www.aworldforchildren.net.