Changing Our Lives . International Conference on Young People's Participation Against Commerciai Sexual Exploitation of Children. Proceedings

Changing Our Lives, the proceedings of the Manila conference, documents the information gathered by the young people on the situation on commercial sexual exploitation of children, how the young people have been involved in their respective country's Plans of Action, how their lives have been enriched in the process of implementation and their concrete proposals to enforce the Stockhoim Agenda for Action. It highlights the effective and dedicated work done by the young people from Asia, Europe, Pacific, Latin America and Africa to defend their rights and to make the world a better place for all children. The delegates demonstrated how children and young people are a vital part of the solution as they take on various roles as facilitators, conceptualizers, advocates, planners and decision makers. This book is a tribute to the partnership of young people and adults who worked together with passion, commitment, creativity and wisdom to promote children's participation in the fight against sexual exploitation and abuse of children. We believe that survivors and children at risk, as well as young people who work as advocates against CSEC, have a vital role to play in the development of effective strategies to combat CSEC.  We believe that it is imperative that the voice of the youth be heard. However, the youth must also be given genuine opportunities to implement ideas. We believe that the youth must participate in decisions that directly affect their lives. We believe that the youth must take every opportunity to share the responsibility of educating children on issues pertaining to CSEC. We believe that the youth must play an instrumental role in shattering stereotypes and harmful beliefs and practices and in removing the stigmatization of victims of CSEC. THE MANILA YOUTH DECLARATION AND AGENDA FOR ACTION.