Consultation Report on Children’s Rights and Business Principles, Ethiopia

From June to August 2011, over 400 young people ages 7-17, participated in consultations to discuss the Children’s Rights and Business Principles Initiative. They explored what business is; how business affects children’s lives and rights; the role of business in protecting children’s rights; and reviewed and submitted proposals for the draft principles which will set standards for child-friendly businesses everywhere. The Children’s Rights and Business Principles (CRBP), to be launched in November 2011, will be the first comprehensive set of principles to guide companies on the full range of actions they may take in the workplace, marketplace and community to respect and support children’s rights. Save the Children, Plan International, UNICEF and other partner organizations supported the participation of children in nine countries, including: Brazil, Argentina, Philippines, Zambia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Senegal, Paraguay and Peru. Each of the nine countries has prepared a report providing an overview of the preparations made to support children’s meaningful participation as well as an overview of children’s realities and recommendations. Here is the report on the outcome of the consultation carried out with children and adolescents from Ethiopia.