The Centre, Cargill and the Rural Education & Workforce Alliance Have Launched First Working Group for Child Rights in the US

In December 2024, The Centre for Child Rights and Business launched the first Working Group for Child Rights in Ford County, Kansas, in partnership with global food company Cargill, and the Rural Education & Workforce Alliance (REWA). This collaborative initiative unites local businesses, civil society organisations, and other key stakeholders to drive positive change for children and youth in the local community.

With the US Department of Labor highlighting pressing risks and increased child labour cases in the US, the Working Group is focused on bringing the Ford community together to conduct in-depth risk and opportunity assessments, protect local youth and connect those looking to work for family or personal development reasons with age-appropriate, decent job opportunities.

A Vision for a Safer Community

The Working Group for Child Rights aims to establish Ford County as:

• A safe environment for youth, free from child labour risks

• A leader in youth development, offering meaningful, age-appropriate job opportunities

• A model for other communities, showcasing how local businesses and community efforts can work together to safeguard young people.

In the coming years, the Working Group envisions Ford County as a supportive, protective community where businesses set a positive example for responsible, youth-centred practices. For example, seeing the need in the agriculture sector, Cargill’s Protein business has already taken proactive steps to strengthen policies, implement enhanced identification checks and train employees to advance monitoring, identification and remediation. The Working Group will serve as a foundation for collaboration, pooling resources and expanding similar programmes across the County, sharing expertise to actively reduce child labour risks and support youth.

How the Working Group for Child Rights Works

The group will meet in-person twice a year, gathering members to discuss challenges, share ideas, and develop practical solutions that address child rights risks in the local community and supply chain.

Knowing the community has a responsibility to protect youth and connect them with safe, age-appropriate work, the Working Group for Child Rights offers members an opportunity to:

• Collaborate on Youth Development: Join other committed businesses and organisations to reduce child labour risks and support youth

• Access Cargill-Funded Programmes: Benefit from programmes focused on youth empowerment and community support

• Network with Stakeholders: Build connections with other businesses and community leaders committed to child rights

• Stay Up to Date on Best Practices: Gain insights into emerging trends and best practices for human rights and child rights due diligence

The Centre, together with Cargill and REWA, looks forward to building a stronger, safer community for youth in Ford County through this Working Group for Child Rights.

Please contact us if you would like to learn more or get involved.