Last year, for several days, a woman and a child lived on the street outside my apartment. They stayed against a wall for about three days, begging for food and money. One morning, I passed by them and she was weeping. Her young boy was at her feet, scratching in the dirt with a stick. He was probably about three years old. What struck me most was the lack of expression in his face and body movements. I was devastated and perplexed about what to do. There are many homeless men living on Kingston’s streets. A woman and child are a rare site. Upon the advice of a fellow volunteer, I called the Office of the Children’s Advocate. I forget their response, and by the time I finally reached someone, the pair had moved on.

I continue to wonder about how they are faring. This situation was put in further context for me after a Conference on Street Children, which was held on Monday, Apr. 8 by Jamaica’s Office of the Children’s Advocate.

First, here are some facts and definitions: Although the exact figure is not known, there are about TEN million children living on the streets around the world. In Jamaica, a 2002 study revealed that there about 6,500 children on the streets. And there are hundreds of children who are not in school: they clean windshields and sell items at stoplights; they beg for money in the tourist areas.

In a report for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the protection and promotion of the rights of children working and/or living on the street, it is defined as a child living or working on the street as having “street connections”. Louise Meincke, who represents the Consortium for Street Children (which is governed by the 1989 United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child)  and presented at the conference, defined street children as having connections to the street that are not just physical, but economic, social and mental. “The street is a central reference point and one that plays a significant role in their lives,” she said. In addition, it must be noted that “children have a right to be on the street,” and if they make this choice, it is up to adults to meet the children where they are to establish bonds of trust, Meincke said. “The greatest challenge is for the child to be treated as a rights holder.”

A great deal of progress was made on this goal recently as the United Nations adopted a resolution that aims to decriminalize the behaviour associated with living and surviving on the streets. As you can imagine, children without protection and regular access to food and shelter must engage in some activities that are not legal, such as stealing and prostitution. They are also at greater risk for substance abuse problems, violence and abuse, exploitation, pregnancy and health problems. But despite these heavy burdens, a survey of more than 100 street children worldwide found that they self-identify as “strong, positive and engaged,” Meincke said, adding that these children indicated that they just want to help others.

The conference was also attended by Irwin Elman of Ontario’s Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, Jamaica’s Diahann Gordon Harrison of the Office of the Children’s Advocate, Cuso International’s Tarik Perkins, CIDA’s Marie Legault, Jamaica’s Minister of Local Government and Community Development Noel Arscott, Unicef’s Robert Fuderich and several mayors.

Elman, a keynote speaker, delivered a heartfelt, simple message that resonated with attendees. “If we want to know what to do, ask them,” he said, referring to the children and youth on the street. “When we give an opportunity to children to talk about their lived experience, when we involve and listen to children, we are helping them therapeutically…It is important to involve them, not just ask them, but we need to give children as much control over their lives as possible.”

Diahann Gordon Harrison of the Office of the Children’s Advocate, called the problem of street children a “national problem,” adding that it is not a government alone solution. (The OCA was created in 2006 under the Child Care and Protection Act with a mandate to “enforce and protect the rights and best interests of all children.”) It is important to note that while street children face heightened challenges, their care and protection is governed  by the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child, which generally states that children are entitled to “the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. The four core principles of the Convention are non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child.”

While it is difficult to know how to approach the problem of street children, as it spans so many jurisdictions and policy areas, there are some solutions being put forth. Meincke referred to the revolutionary resolution that aims to decriminalize “survival behaviour.” She also encouraged municipal governments to create policies that protect children and youth, as well as a need for state and national level governments to enact child protection frameworks. The private sector must also be engaged, and robust public awareness campaigns must be enacted, she added.

The conference included input from four young men who have either lived or worked on the streets. They were asked what could be done to help them and their peers. Gary, the young man at my consult table, was quite shy and wanted to think about his answer. But the other individuals at my table (who included a corrections officer, educators and youth program workers) suggested that the problem originates with the parents, who often are instrumental in sending the children out on the street, whether it is by creating an abusive environment or telling them they must contribute financially to the household.

According to the UN report, children typically end up on the street for financial reasons. As Unicef’s Robert Fuderich stated, the number of street children fluctuates, and certainly rises during difficult financial periods. “We will see an increase if nothing is done. We have to be talking more to these children, who endure a multiplicity of depravation of rights,” he said. According to the report, poverty is one of the main factors, but not the only one. “Most families of street-connected children have experienced persistent discrimination, poverty and social exclusion within societies where inequalities are high or growing.”

The conference was not all gloom and doom, however. In addition to important discussion and debate, we witnessed a performance from the Bashy Bus Crew about street children and heard from an inspiring young man named Damion. Sherwin-Williams hired (a former street child) 10.5 years ago and he has since made a strong mark on the company, as well as on Oliver, the fellow who hired him. As Oliver said, Damion helped to prepare him to be a parent.

You can do something. Go to the CSC web site and sign a petition calling for an International Day for Street Children and inform yourself further by clicking here for the full report.