Norwegian Ambassador to the Philippines, Christian Halaas Lyster, took part in Quezon City’s observance of the 2025 World Day Against Child Labor, held at the QC M.I.C.E. Center on Tuesday 11 June.
About 400 young people and their parents gathered for the event, along with representatives from local and national government, partner organizations, and diplomatic missions.
In her speech, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte underlined the importance of joint action across sectors to eradicate child labor.
“Child labor should not be part of the future of any child in Quezon City,” she said.
She emphasized that cooperation between the local government, national authorities, communities, and NGOs is vital to address the issue.
Ambassador Lister joined other international and local figures in expressing support for the initiative, including the Norwegian Karin Riska, Country Director of Mission Alliance, Philippine Children’s Ministries Network National Director Fe Foronda, and World Vision Development Foundation National Director Dr. Herbert Quilon Carpio. Officials from the Department of Labor and Employment were also present.
The event featured a service caravan organized by the city’s Public Employment Service Office (PESO), offering assistance to youth and their parents.
This year’s campaign carries the theme: “Sa Bagong Pilipinas: Mag-aaral ang Bata, Hindi Manggagawa” (In the New Philippines: The Child Will Study, Not Work).
