The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct

1. The Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct Presentation by Katarina Mancama, Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) – Local Code Representative for South Africa

2. Overview • About FTTSA • Problem Definition – Child Sex Tourism • Global Response • South African Response • A Possible Regional Approach to Protecting Children from Commercial and Sexual Exploitation

3. About FTTSA • Established 2001 - project of IUCN-South Africa • Independent NPO Nov 2004 • Promote responsible tourism through: • Awareness raising • Advocacy and research • Training and capacity building • Projects to support transformation • Certification: World’s first and still only tourism Fair Trade label. 68 products certified to date. • Primarily donor funded • Close working relationship with Government • ED member of many boards (national & int’l) including The Code International

4. What is the problem? • Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) – worst form of child labour • Numbers of child victims of CSEC not known – as high as 3 million worldwide (ECPAT) • No “traditional child sex destinations” - Africa’s children at risk due to existing conditions • Poverty, unemployment, migrant labour, child-headed households • Human trafficking / forced labour

5. Child Sex Tourism (CST) • Offenders are tourists (away from home for more than 1 night, less than 365) • Travelling offenders • Situational vs. preferential offenders • Some types of tourism convey higher risks for children e.g. mega events, sporting events, cheap beach holidays • Sector has ability to mobilise large numbers of people to help prevent and report CST (workforce AND tourists)

6. Global Response to Problem • Campaigning • Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct • Started by ECPAT International (1998) • Now managed by new international NGO “the Code International” working with local code partners around the world • Nearly 1000 signatory companies in some 35 countries (Africa: only Kenya and SA)

7. 6 Criteria of The Code 1. To establish an ethical policy regarding commercial sexual exploitation of children 2. To train the personnel throughout the company 3. To introduce a clause in contracts with suppliers, stating the common repudiation of commercial sexual exploitation of children 4. To provide information to customers (tourists) by means of catalogues, brochures, in-flight films, ticket-slips, home pages, etc. 5. To provide information to local stakeholders in the destinations 6. To report annually

8. South African Response • FTTSA established as LCR (mandated by the industry and Government) • Awareness raising throughout the industry • Training of app. 400 call centre staff • 8/9 June 2010 signing events in Johannesburg and Cape Town • Pledge of support by 5 Industry Associations and 2 Government Departments • Signing of The Code by 30 companies • National campaign to protect children during FIFA World Cup

12. Post World Cup • FTTSA will continue to facilitate signing of the Code by wider industry • Improved coordination with law enforcement and child protection NGOs through advocacy and awareness raising • Annual reporting to Code International • Lead the way to creation of The Code regional office for Southern Africa

13. Why a Regional Approach? • Strong policies in one country may displace the problem • South Africa should share its experience and knowledge • A lot of potential signatory companies operate throughout the region • Africa not a primary focus for The Code International – a strong regional network could address this

14. Regional Approach –How it could work

15. www.fairtourismsa.org.za www.thecode.org Thank You!