2001-2002
Television and Radio Social Messaging
IIECL, working in partnership with the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP) received a fixed price contract to develop television and radio public service announcements (PSAs) that deals with international child labor and with domestic child labor in agriculture (within the United States). Each of the television and radio PSAs were developed in English and in Spanish. The PSAs, once developed and approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, were then aired on radio and television stations throughout the United States (including Puerto Rico) and in Mexico. To view and/or hear the PSAs, click here. Also, IIECL produced a web ad that promotes web browsers to link to the PSAs from major web portals, such as AOL, Google and Yahoo. To view the web ad, click here. As a result of IIECL’s efforts, the PSAs reached over 20 million people. In order to help market the PSAs and increase the general public understanding of child labor, IIECL produced a brochure on child labor with information on IIECL. This colorful brochure provides vivid pictures that show actual situations of child labor around the world. To view a copy of the brochure, click here.
Planning/Situation Analysis in Cote d’Ivoire
Additionally, IIECL staff participated in the conduct of a planning analysis regarding child labor in the cocoa production in Cote d’Ivoire. This planning analysis included identifying the various types of child labor occurring throughout Cote d’Ivoire (particularly in the cocoa producing areas), examination of whether slavery or trafficking of children in the cocoa sector existed and root causes and influences, study of issues related to why children were not in school, identification of NGOs within Cote d’Ivoire and overview of their activities and services related to children, and a review of the Ivorian laws and regulations related to child labor and their enforcement. To view the 139 page report, click here.
Capitol Hill Forum on Child Labor
IIECL staff is requested to develop and make a presentation on the child labor situation in Mexico’s export plantations and how child labor in agriculture is linked between Mexico and the United States. The presentation was entitled, “Link Between Child Labor in Mexico and the United States.” To view the MS PowerPoint presentation, click here.
1999-2001
In March of 1999, IIECL was incorporated in the District of Columbia and received its designation from IRS as a 501 (c) (3) not-for profit organization. Within weeks, IIECL received its first funding from the U.S. Department of Labor through a series of sub-grants with the National Consumers League, International Labor Rights Fund and the American Center for Labor Solidarity.
Curriculum Development
IIECL formally entered into a sub-grant agreement with the National Consumers League (NCL). With these funds, IIECL developed a bibliography of publications and materials available on child labor and responded to information and education requests from the general public regarding child labor in agriculture. A major accomplishment under this grant was the development of a curriculum for elementary school-aged children to help them understand issues related to child labor in agriculture. This curriculum was developed in both English and Spanish. The curriculum is entitled, “Jose Learns About Child Labor” To view a copy of the curriculum, click here for the English version and click here for Spanish version.