Rio, 9/18/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Representatives of the government and non-governmental organizations that work in the area of child rights met in Petropolis yesterday at a State Conference on Children and Adolescent Rights. The meeting is preparatory for the V National Conference on Children and Adolescent Rights, which is scheduled for Brasilia at the beginning of December.

The theme of the national conference will be "A Pact for Peace, A Possible Construction." Under discussion is a move to earmark 5% of the social security system budget for social assistance programs while preserving local autonomy regarding the use of funding. The money would be used for creating family income through professional training programs, which would include the creation of jobs, income and educational opportunities, as well as providing healthcare, judicial assistance and housing.

The conference will also discuss the eradication of child labor, and social development programs for poor communities. (AB)