Webinar | COVID-19 and Child Labour
Channel: The Alliance
Date: 14/07/2020

In this episode, Audrey Bollier hosts a discussion on child labour in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Monica Martinez begins the presentation by sharing how Save the Children has adapted its existing projects in Lebanon. Kathryn Chinnock provides a donor perspective on adaptations made in response to COVID-19. Christine Barret, Nandor Gergely, and Cecile Fanton d’Andon share adaptations made to PACE programs and projects concerning child labour in the DRC, Ethiopia, and CAR. Silvia Onate shares the Technical Notes on COVID-19, focusing on the annex on Child Labour and COVID-19. This webinar concludes with an update on the Child Labour in Emergencies Toolkit from Alyson Eynon and the Child Labour Task Force. 

List of Speakers: 
Audrey Bollier from the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action 
Monica Martinez from Save the Children in Lebanon 
Kathryn Chinnock from the United States Department of Labour 
Christine Barrett from World Vision
Nandor Gergely from War Child UK
Cecile Fanton d’Andon from Columbia University
Silvia Onate from Plan International Alyson Eynon from the Child Labour Task Force 

Main Points: 
0:20 – Audrey welcomes participants, gives opening remarks and an overview of webinar agenda. 
1:57 – Monica begins Save the Children’s presentation on their child labour program that integrates child labour and livelihood interventions.
4:15 – Monica shares Save the Children’s already existing integrated program on improving prospects for refugees and vulnerable host communities in Lebanon. 
6:54 – Monica discusses the case management programs that provide Cash for Protection and cash assistance programs to families and shares the findings from phase 1. 
9:48 – Monica discusses the challenges faced by Save the Children due to COVID-19, including difficulties reaching families seeking support, additional increase in vulnerabilities and risk levels within communities, and many more.
11:54 – Monica discusses the adaptations made to the program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the development of remote case management guidance to work with children without being physically present, and modifying emergency cash assistance. This concludes Monica's presentation. 
16:31 – Kathryn begins her presentation with introductory remarks and provides a brief overview of the work that is being done by the U.S. Department of Labour.
17:47 – Kathryn highlights two apps developed by the office to raise awareness about issues concerning child labour. They are: “Sweet & Toil” and “Comply Chain”.
18:15 – Kathryn discusses the challenges involved in providing assistance to children in crises.
19:46 – Kathryn shares an example of adaptations made to Paraguay Okakuaa, an already existing project. This concludes Kathryn's presentation. 
23:20 – Christine begins the presentation by introducing the PACE Consortium and their Aid Connect Programme, which is carried out in the DRC, CAR, and Ethiopia.
26:10 – Christine begins to discuss the adaptations made by World Vision in response to COVID-19, including suspending international/internal travel and setting-up regular updates/risk analysis reports from in-country offices.
28:26 – Nandor introduces the adaptations being made to PACE programmes in CAR and the DRC in response to COVID-19, including all group activities to be adapted to physical distancing and small groups and providing hand washing facilities and hygiene kits. 
31:55 – Cecile introduces the research conducted to see the impact of COVID-19 on child labour in the mentioned PACE project areas, along with a practical example of adaptions. 
35:12 – Silvia introduces the Technical Note Annex on Child Labour and COVID-19, which highlights risks, potential actions, and provides supports to policy makers and practitioners. 
37:15 – Silvia discusses the content and the structure of the guidance.
44:35 – Alyson begins by introducing the Child Labour in Emergency Toolkit, and gives an update on where the task force is in the process of developing the toolkit. 
47:37 – Alyson discusses the significant changes that will be seen in the new toolkit. 
50:51 – Alyson shares the structure of the revised toolkit to reflect COVID-19 guidance, which includes components to develop quality response and core implementation activities. 
52:38 – Alyson outlines the next steps for the launching of the toolkit. Alongside the toolkit, there will also be the development of a capacity building package. This concludes Alyson’s presentation. 
53:15 – Silvia shares three actions that can be taken towards the ending of child labour.

Important Links: 
Presentation Slides: https://alliancecpha.org/sites/default/files/wdacl_webinar_final_presentation.pdf
Technical Note on COVID-19 and Child Labour: https://www.alliancecpha.org/en/covid19childlabour
Other Alliance COVID-19 and CP Resources:
https://www.alliancecpha.org/en/series-of-child-protection-materials/protection-children-during-covid-19-pandemic