The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, released the following statement:
«Over the past decades, the combined efforts of governments, international organizations and civil society have freed millions of girls and boys from degrading working conditions guding them back onto the road of education, protection and growth.
The result of a concerted effort, these achievements are now at risk of being undermined by global crises, armed conflicts, climate change, and rising inequality.
It is estimated that more than 160 million children worldwide are still engaged in forms of work that undermine their health, hinder their development, and violate their freedom.
These children are often invisible, forced to do dangerous work to survive: because hunger is more urgent than childhood, because their schools have been destroyed by bombs, because there are no alternatives or prospects.
Underground situations of exploitation and exclusion are also present in Italy, especially in contexts marked by social and economic fragility.
Dropping out of school leads to educational poverty, social marginalization and, in the most serious cases, the involvement of minors in illegal activities or activities controlled by organized crime.
This triggers a vicious cycle that undermines the chances of growth and development of minors and their families from one generation to the next.
The Constitution, in Articles 31 and 34, clearly states the duty of the Republic to protect children and guarantee their right to education.
Working towards fully affirming children's rights is a social duty that is the yardstick of civilization and cohesion of a people. It is the foundation on which to build a more just society capable of responsibly shoulder present and future challenges».
