Substantial progress towards the elimination of child labour has been achieved in recent years, largely because of intense advocacy and national mobilization backed by legislative and practical action. Between 2000 and 2016, there was a 38 per cent decrease in child labour globally, however progress slowed significantly between 2012 and 2016. By 2021, the number of children had risen to 160 million children according to ILO estimates, the first increase for two decades. 2021 marked International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour (IYCL). The IYCL was an opportunity to reinvigorate efforts to achieve the global target to end child labour by 2025, agreed as the Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7. Progress towards the achievement of this important goal was discussed at the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Durban in 2022, and a renewed discussion is expected to take place in the 6th Conference in Morocco in 2025. This important conference provides an opportunity to assess progress made by governments, social partners and others to take new measures to eliminate child labour. A central goal of the Global Conference is to facilitate new partnerships and enhance existing ones, leveraging the distinct roles and mandates of ILO constituents, enterprises, UN agencies and social partners. Alliance 8.7 is an inclusive global partnership committed to achieving target 8.7 by accelerating action, sharing knowledge, driving innovation and mobilizing resources. Established in 2016, it has more than 200 partners and more than 30 pathfinder countries, which have committed to go further, faster to achieve SDG target 8.7.
The course is aimed at representatives of international and regional organizations, the private sector, civil society organizations, and ILO constituents. Representatives of Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Countries or ILO Members States willing to become a pathfinder country are especially welcome.