Debates on the consequences of globalisation mostly ignore issues related to children – particularly their wellbeing, rights and poverty experiences. However globalisation and trade liberalisation are likely to have a major impact on the lives of poor children and their families. Given that children comprise a significant proportion of the population in developing countries, and that impacts on children’s welfare and poverty status tend to have a long-term effect on their development over their life-course, any discussion of the social impacts of trade must be approached from a child-sensitive perspective.

At this meeting, Dr. Javier Escobal, of the Young Lives Project, spoke about these issues, with a particular focus on the potential impacts of the Peru-USA Free Trade Agreement.