Queen Rania supports national project on children's rights during a visit to the International Labor Organization's (ILO) headquarters in Geneva

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Geneva) As part of her efforts in promoting the rights of children, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah visited the headquarters of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Geneva, following a $1 million expansion of the National Program for the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labor in Jordan.

The program, funded by the US Department of Labor, is scheduled to start operation in January 2003 with the aim of contributing to the elimination and prevention of child labor in Jordan.

Accompanying His Majesty King Abdullah on a two-day working visit to Geneva, Queen Rania, a strong proponent of human rights and children's issues, met with ILO President Mr. Juan Somavia and key ILO staff members and was briefed on ILO projects aimed at eliminating child labor around the world.

"Under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah, Jordan is developing a vision of a modern society open to the world and rooted in its historical identity and culture. At his side, you are, through your different commitments, making that vision a reality in the daily life of Jordanians", Mr. Somavia told Queen Rania during the meeting.

Queen Rania highlighted the importance of the partnership that the ILO enjoys with the Jordanian Government, in addition to the significant role that the ILO is playing in the Kingdom.

Queen Rania's visit to ILO further complements her efforts in supporting the elimination of poverty and unemployment, specifically among the youth. Last year, Queen Rania supported the launch of an entrepreneurial program, spearheaded by the ILO and operated by several Jordanian NGOs, with the aim of providing a better standard of living for Jordanians.

The ILO President said that Queen Rania's leadership "... on so many issues that are so important to people and their families, inspires (us at) the ILO."

The national program launched in Jordan is part of the International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC), which initially began its work in the Kingdom in 1997.

The program was tailored to emphasize a country-led approach for a period of three years through capacity enhancement of key institutions and the development and implementation of models for the prevention of child labor.

The ILO is the UN specialized agency, which seeks to promote social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights.

The organization provides technical assistance primarily in the fields of vocational training and vocational rehabilitation, employment policy, labor administration, labor law and industrial relations, working conditions, management development, cooperatives, social security and labor statistics and occupational safety and health.

Queen Rania is part of the ILO's circle of First Ladies and Personalities. The Queen lent her support to the organization's worldwide campaign to eradicate the exploitation of children around the world and protect their rights.