“For me it is of great importance that the Declaration and Agenda for Action has been adopted unanimously.. .. We have to act now and we have to act forcefully….“We owe this to the children who have been abused, tortured and even killed by sex offenders and to the children who are at risk of becoming victims.”
(Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, Closing Address to the Congress) |
Queen Silvia of Sweden agreed to grant her royal patronage to the Congress and to be present at the opening and closing ceremonies. Her support for the Congress and ECPAT work has been and continues to be a source of great encouragement.
The First World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children was a unique event in that it brought together for the first time government, inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations. There were 718 government officials representing 122 countries, 105 representatives from the United Nations and inter governmental organisations, 471 NGO representatives and a delegation of 47 young people participating in this week long event.
 |
It was at ECPAT’s insistence that young people were allowed to play an active part. It was the voice of young people in particular which ensured that the reality of commercial sexual exploitation and abuse was kept at the forefront of the debates. “Don’t just listen, but take action” was their closing appeal.
Over 500 people from the media were present at the Congress and reported on events. The German newspaper Die Zeit reported “ the Congress “…was strong evidence of an emerging new power in society- the grassroots NGOs”. Congress delegates unanimously adopted a Declaration and Agenda for Action. Thus, 122 governments committed themselves to forming “a global partnership against the commercial sexual exploitation of children” and to develop a national agenda for action by 2000.
 |
The Declaration and Agenda for Action calls for action from States, all sectors of society, and national, regional, and international organisations, against the commercial sexual exploitation of children. In particular, it calls for action to be undertaken in Cooperation and Coordination, Prevention, Protection, Recovery and Reintegration,and Youth Participation.
This Declaration and Agenda for Action is a critically important document which continues to guide the work of ECPAT and other organisations working specifically to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children.