A place for work in children’s lives?

A place for work in children’s lives? is the question behind this paper, which highlights the various challenges faced by organizations like Plan when addressing issues of children’s work. The new Plan document written by Michael Bourdillon, a leading expert on working children, considers the role of work in the lives of children. Work in the home, in school and elsewhere can be seen as useful in learning and growing up. On the other hand, regular exposés in the media document the abuse of children in the workplace and their lack of access to quality and meaningful education around the world. The paper highlights what good practice means and some general principles for policies and interventions related to children’s work.