Global Child Forum
2018

On April 11, 2018, the 10^th Global Child Forum was held at the Stockholm Royal Palace, Sweden. Over 300 participants from around the world gathered to discuss child rights issues. Participants represented global companies, financial institutions, civil society, the UN, academia and government.

The day began with H.M. King Carl Gustaf XVI welcoming the participants in remarks emphasising that a child rights perspective needs to penetrate all activities:

“Business impacts children, and therefore, we must let children impact business. Leaders in the corporate and financial sectors have a unique opportunity to protect and strengthen children’s rights.”

His Majesty also underlined the importance of cooperation between different sectors: “In order to realise children’s rights, cooperation is required. Companies, governments and civil society must work together, side by side.” Read H.M. the King’s full speech here.

Among the speakers during the day were Lise Kingo, CEO of UN Global Sustainability Initiative, Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, whose Missing Chapter Foundation works to give children a voice in society, as well as Swedish Minister for Industry, Mikael Damberg.

From the organisation Time to Talk! two youth workers from Indonesia, Fauza Ananda and Ruth Kesia, participated, and reported on their experiences of child labour, as well as their call to business to treat their youth workers with care and consideration.

The day ended with a speech by H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria on how the UN’s 17 global goals, for whom the Crown Princess is ambassador, are all linked to children’s rights:

“One thing has become increasingly clear to me. Children’s rights are not just part of the Global Goals, children’s rights are what the Global Goals are all about.” Read H.R.H Crown Princess Victoria’s full speech here.

During the day, companies and organisations were urged to sign the Global Child Forum’s PACT Pledge – a pledge to advance children’s rights and business. Nearly 50 leading companies and organisations took up the challenge by pledging to at least one of a possible five commitments – all spurring action on children’s rights within their operations and communities.

Find out more about the event in the below summary report.