Investing in decent work – Financing the fight against child labour and forced labour

Side Events

10/02/2026

16:30

-

18:15

Online

Progress against child labor and forced labor is at risk as global funding declines and priorities shift, leading many programs that address labor abuses to close mid-cycle. This event explores the real-world consequences of shrinking budgets, from dismantled efforts to strengthen labor inspections and identify cases of child and forced labor to reduced social programs that support livelihoods, education, and child welfare. The session will present concrete solutions to protect essential services and reimagine effective programming to safeguard children and workers. Former government officials, donors, and representatives from multi-stakeholder initiatives, civil society organizations, and academia will outline how we can preserve critical resources, rebuild lost ground and relationships, and deliver on the promises of SDG 8.7.

 

Speakers

Marcia Eugenio

Marcia Eugenio

Senior Fellow

Georgetown University's Collaborative on Global Children's Issues

Sarah Dekkiche

Sarah Dekkiche

Director of Policy and Partnerships

International Cocoa Initiative

Maro Guerrero Aguirre

Maro Guerrero Aguirre

Regional Coordinator

Desarrollo y Autogestión (DyA)

Shawn MacDonald

Shawn MacDonald

Chief Executive Officer

Verite

Eric Edmonds

Eric Edmonds

Professor of Economics, Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College

Thea Lee

Thea Lee

Distinguished Visiting Practitioner

American University School of International Service

Ana Dammert

Ana Dammert

Professor of Economics and International Affairs

Carleton University, Canada

Sadikshya Nepal

Sadikshya Nepal

Director of Advocacy and Communications

GoodWeave International

Moderators

Marcia Eugenio

Marcia Eugenio

Senior Fellow

Georgetown University's Collaborative on Global Children's Issues