Indian Boy Wins International Children’s Peace Prize

F.W. de Klerk Awards Peace Prize to 14-year-old Om Prakash

14-Year-Old Indian Boy Wins World Peace Prize

Om Prakish, a 14-year-old Indian boy, has been awarded the International Children’s Peace Prize for leading a campaign against child labor and child slavery.  Om Prakash was forced to work as a farm labourer for three years.  After he was rescued, Om campaigned for free education in his native Rajastan.  He then helped to set up a network of what are known as “child friendly villages.”  These are places where children’s rights are respected and child laborers are not allowed.

Om also worked to ensure that children are given birth certificates as an important step in protecting children from exploitation.  He says that such registration is the first step towards recognizing and preserving the rights of children, proving their age and helping to protect them from slavery, trafficking, forced marriage or serving as a child soldiers.  India, which has more than 12 million child workers, finally introduced a new law in October that bans children under 14 from working as domestic servants or in food stalls.

Former South African President F.W. de Klerk: 1993 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Om was awarded the $100,000 prize organized by Kids Rights, a Netherlands-based group, at a ceremony in The Hague.  Om was awarded his peace prize by former South African President F.W. de Klerk, who with Nelson Mandela won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

VIDEO CLIP: PEACE PRIZE CELEBRATION AFTER THE CEREMONY (IN DUTCH)