|
The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989, is a powerful addition to the international, human rights framework. While great progress has been made on children’s rights over the past 20 years, much work remains to be done. With the chief goal of engaging the academic and professional community in discussion on what needs to be done to bring child rights issues to the forefront of national and international agendas, the Graduate Program in International Affairs and UNICEF, will host a three-part film series dedicated to the issue of children’s rights. Each event will feature a documentary film focusing on a range of global child’s rights issues, a presentation by the film director, followed by Q&A. The Devil’s MinerIn Bolivia, although it is illegal, thousands of children still work in the mining industry, starting as young as five or six . While most children working the mines attend school, they perform below grade level for their age. The Devil’s Miner tells the story of 14- year-old Basilio Vargas and his 12-year-old brother Bernardino, who work in the ancient Cerro Rico silver mines in Bolivia. Raised without a father and living in extreme poverty with their mother and 6-year-old sister on the slopes of the mine, the boys assume many adult responsibilities. It takes two-months work to afford the clothing and supplies needed for school. Without an education, the brothers have no chance to escape their destiny in the silver mines (82 minutes).
|