April 25, 2014
World Vision Launches No Child For Sale Church Campaign: Ending child labour campaign features devotional series by leading Christian thinkers, live national conversation and petition to major Canadian retailers.
MISSISSAUGA, ONT.–(CANADIAN CHRISTIAN NEWS SERVICE)–Today, World Vision is launching their No Child For Sale Campaign – Church Edition. The campaign is part of the aid and development agency’s ongoing work to prevent and eliminate the worst forms of child slavery. World Vision is urging people of faith to sign up for daily devotionals written by leading Christian thinkers, to take action by signing a petition that calls on major Canadian retailers regarding operations in Bangladesh and to tune in online to a special one-hour conversation with World Vision President Dave Toycen and hear about his recent trip to Bangladesh.
The Petition:
In the wake the deadly factory collapse in Bangladesh last April that killed more than 1,100 people, Canadians questioned whether we were complicit as we saw popular Canadian retail labels among the rubble. Through the No Child For Sale petition, World Vision is asking Canadians of faith to add their voices to the growing call for Canadian retailers to sign the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord to prevent further tragedies. To date, Loblaw is the only Canadian company to sign on. A full list of companies being called on to sign can be found on an online petition page .
The Daily Devotionals: To Such As These: Canadian Leaders Reflect on Faith and Child Labour Today
As part of the No Child For Sale Campaign, World Vision is launching a two-week daily devotional featuring 15 leading Christian thinkers from across Canada reflecting on how Christian faith and scriptures speak to the problem of child slavery today. The end result is a personal devotional with striking images and challenging insights. It is a free online resource and World Vision is urging Canadians to sign up to receive these unique devotionals.
Devotional Writers: Mark Buchanan, Bruce and Tracy Clemenger, Joel Gordon, Karen Hamilton, Alan L. Hayes, M. Christine MacMillan, Ann Mainse, Gary Nelson, Greg Paul, John Pellowe, Don Posterski, John Stackhouse, Karen Stiller, George Sumner and Geoff Tunnicliffe.
A National Conversation with Dave Toycen on Christian Faith and Child Labour:
World Vision President, Dave Toycen, and Senior Manager for Advocacy Engagement, Cheryl Hotchkiss, will host a one-hour online conversation about our Christian faith and child labour on Friday, May 9th at 1 p.m. EST. Dave will reflect on his recent trip to Bangladesh, including a visit to the site of the Rana Plaza factory collapse. Cheryl will speak to current issues in child labour and what Canadians can do to help.
Quotes:
“We are very excited to have Christian leaders across Canada contributing this new devotional,” said Doug Blackburn, church advocacy manager, World Vision Canada. “The insights into how our faith speaks to the problem of exploited children are as diverse and rich as the experiences of the 15 writers. This is a new and unique contribution to the church community in Canada.”
“Last week in Bangladesh, it seemed that everywhere I looked, there were workplace tragedies just waiting to happen. Far too many involved children,” said Dave Toycen, president, World Vision Canada.”I am more convicted than ever that Canadian retailers that sell products made in Bangladesh must not delay in signing this accord.”
“Canadian consumers are hungry for ethical alternatives. Bangladesh brought this home. While we’re increasingly seeing ethical options on our grocery store shelves, we’re not seeing the same affordable, available options for clothing, textiles and household goods.” said Cheryl Hotchkiss, senior advocacy manager, World Vision Canada. “Companies respond to consumer demand. We’ve seen this time and again with ethical chocolate and coffee now in mainstream stores. The same can happen for clothing and other items if all Canadians – including people of faith and congregations – demand it.”
Photos, b-roll and fact sheets available upon request.
Twitter hashtag: #NoChildForSale
Contact:
Tiffany Baggetta – cell: 416-305-9612, Tiffany_Baggetta@worldvision.ca
Britt Hamilton – cell: 416-419-1321, Britt_Hamilton@worldvision.ca
World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre on worldvision.ca