NO CHILD SHOULD EVER BE FOR SALE JOIN THE FIGHT TO END CHILD SLAVERY ethical the act of buying goods or services from companies that work to address or prevent harmful practices such as or poor labour conditions that may exist in production processes.

How can Ethical Consumerism Be Smart. Shop with Heart. talks. reduce child slavery? Every day we make decisions about what Ethical Consumerism can encourage corpo- we buy to care for ourselves and to sup- rations to make positive changes to their busi- Ethical consumerism can play a role in port the we like to lead. Increasingly, ness practices and is part of a set of solutions encouraging changes in markets and cor- personal economic situations and values aimed at ending child slavery. Currently, 85 porate practices. While it is not the only are making many stop and think about million children around the world – nearly 15 solution to challenging issues like child what we are buying and why. Some have times the of children in Canada slavery, it can change the way we behave taken up the challenge of buying nothing – work in dirty, dangerous and degrading as and the way that companies new for a day, a month, a year, or lon- 3D jobs to create the products that we buy. behave. These behaviour changes can ger. Others focus on buying locally made If everyone made their purchasing decisions have an impact on reducing the likelihood products and produce, or try to shop at keeping in mind the impact these purchases that children are working in dirty, dan- stores that are locally owned to support have on the world and children, we could gerous and degrading 3D jobs to create small business. Others may choose to help prevent the worst forms of child labour the products we buy. They can also help shop secondhand clothing. For some of and make children, in every corner of the transform the harmful conditions where you, you do all of the above and more! world, safer. the goods we buy are produced. Encour- These are all examples of responsible aging change in a positive way is a more consumerism—stopping before we buy effective way of encouraging change than things big and small to consider the im- simply not buying or boycotting what is pact our purchases may have on us, our made in harmful conditions. community and the world. World Vision Sadly, many children and families encourages this. We want Canadians to depend on the money they earn from be more responsible consumers because exploitive labour. Therefore, solving the we believe that by doing so we contribute problem of child labour does not simply not just to healthier and better for mean removing the child from the job. ourselves and our children, but for all of Instead, it involves helping them and their us the world over. families access basic needs, including to help them heal physically and mentally from any exploitation. Governments, companies and organiza- MILLION tions such as World Vision can be part of a complete solution for ending the worst forms of child labour. 85 children around the world are involved in the worst forms of child labour – nearly 15 times the population of children in Canada. NO CHILD SHOULD EVER BE FOR SALE JOIN THE FIGHT TO END CHILD SLAVERY Top 5 Tips on How to Be An Ethical Shopper if they find that their codes of conduct Tip 1: Do Your Research. Tip 2: Buy Certified Products. or policies relating to child labour or Ask yourself: What is the impact of this Look for certifications. If a product carries a labour exploitation are not being fol- or company’s manufacturing on children, seal from Fairtrade, UTZ Good Inside or lowed by members of their company or communities and the environment? Is its sourc- , work has been done by their suppliers? Ask about what they ing harmful? Is its manufacturing safe? Are its to ensure that the it was not made using have done in the past. labour practices ethical? Being informed is child labour that is hazardous, exploitative, • Ask companies how they work with the first step in helping eliminate child labour. or that undermines a child’s education or others in their industry to share learn- These independent websites offer compre- emotional and physical health. ings on how to ensure that their supply hensive information—distilled in easy-to-un- Also look for labels bearing the Energy chains are free from child labour and derstand formats—about the impact that spe- Star, Certified Organic, UTZ Good Inside, labour exploitation? cific companies and have on people, Dolphin Safe, and Forest communities and the environment. Council stamps of approval. These prod- Tip 4: Share your knowledge. www.goodguide.com This website allows you ucts are guaranteed ethical according to to search more than 145,000 products where various industry criterion. Many people don’t know or haven’t looked you can learn about their social, health, and into issues related to child labour. So share environmental performance, whether good or information and resources about ethical bad. Good Guide uses scientific information Tip 3: Use Your Voice. consumerism with your community. Work and a sophisticated rating system, yet simpli- Right now many products are not ethically with family members, your children’s schools fies complex product information to help you certified. But companies may be trying to and with others in your social circles and in in purchasing goods that reflect your prefer- take steps to ensure that their products your workplaces to encourage ethical choices ences and values. are free from child labour and other when gifts or goods are being purchased. www.rankabrand.org Rank a Brand is a unethical practices. Your concerns and This could mean choosing to stock European, -run website and app. questions will let them know that this issue coffee for the lunchroom at the office, buying Find the score of more than matters to you. certified-ethical teacher gifts at the end of the 800 brands in categories such as fashion, • Ask companies about their codes of school year or purchasing fair trade balls and electronics, food and beverages, telecom, conduct and policies that state that equipment when prepping for soccer season. and travel. Scores are based on a brand’s they do not employ child labourers Explain the difference these purchases can labour conditions, environmental practices nor do their suppliers. Ask where you make and encourage awareness. and climate-change efforts as outlined on can read more about it. their websites. • Ask companies about how their www.ethicalconsumer.org Ethical Consum- codes of conduct and policies are Tip 5: Support the No er provides a report card of more than implemented. Do they train staff and Child For Sale campaign. 35,000 companies and brands, rating suppliers? Do they have help from an them against animal, environmental, outside organization to ensure they Please sign our petition at www.nochild- , political and sustainability are being followed? forsale.ca to help us encourage leading criteria. Report card ratings can also be • Ask companies about how they mon- Canadian governments and corporations to personalized based on ethical priorities, itor and report on compliance with take more steps to prevent and address the allowing consumers to rank them higher their codes of conduct and policies to exploitation of children and its root causes or lower based on five categories and even investors and to the public? and to ensure that their supply chains support subcategories. • Ask companies about what they do good labour practices.

WHAT ABOUT MY CELL PHONE? Cell phones often make the news as connected free from child slavery. The number of people and initiatives underway to better understand the supply to child slavery and conflict. However, there are companies involved in the manufacturing process chain and ideas for action that can be taken to currently no certification tools or widely supported is significant – from those who collect the minerals ensure that no child or adult was exploited in the regulations by all of the companies involved in the required to make your phone vibrate (Tungsten) production of your phone. Stay with us as World production of cell phones to ensure that a phone is to the assembly of the final product. There are Vision looks into what can be done.

VISIT www.nochildforsale.ca