ABOUT THE CONCLAVE 2024

The world today is mired in economic and democratic crises, new and ongoing conflicts, and climate disasters.  Yet, the global responses are deprioritising the rights and needs of the most marginalised children. Though children bear no responsibility, they are suffering the biggest impact. 

Despite the UN Sustainable Development Goals and international conventions, we are on a regressive path and our children are paying the highest price. The number of child labourers in the world has increased for the first time in two decades, more children have been forced out of school and more children have been stunted from malnutrition. Child slavery continues to exist and we are failing to protect our children from violence. In conflict zones around the world, children are being killed with impunity. 

Since 2016, efforts by members of the movement have made a remarkable impact for the rights of children. Advocacy conducted by Laureates and Leaders for Children contributed to the inclusion of commitments to end child labour at the G20 and G7 for the first time. Demands for a fair share of global wealth and development to end child labour contributed to the UN/ILO announcement of the new Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection.

Yet, despite the positive impacts of our collective efforts, the world’s attention has continued to turn away from the urgent needs of the most marginalised children.

The situation is critical. We are at risk of leaving our children a world that is worse than the one we inherited. The increasing inequality between the world’s children is shocking. 

We must seriously rethink, redefine and reconstruct our approach to life and society.  Compassion is the most powerful way to ensure justice, peace and equality for all our children. It is the deepest connection with the suffering of others and compels one to take urgent action to alleviate that suffering.

This Laureates and Leaders for Children Conclave is deeply committed to strong collective action and real transformation for all our children. We have globalised our markets, our economies and our knowledge - it is time for us to globalise compassion.

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This event is by invitation only.