AsiaDHRRA, in coordination with the Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), organized a workshop, “Converging for Children: Multi-Stakeholder Action to Eliminate the Worst Forms of Child   Labor in Agricultural Communities in BARMM,” on September 18, 2025, in Cotabato City.  Joined by representatives and stakeholders from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) ministries, Municipal Local Government Units (MLGU) of South Upi, partner Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and project implementers including youth advocates, the activity served as an opportune time to present the recent updates on RISE-UP (Resilience, Inclusion, Sustainability, Empowerment, Unity, Progress) Project.

The gathering specifically emphasized contextualizing child labor data, policies, and programs in the BARMM and has facilitated a dialogue among the participants on priorities identified and the coordination system. Additionally, promotion of culturally aligned Islamic principles on child welfare and education was similarly discussed in the development of joint action plans integrating the elimination of child labor into social protection and local development.

RISE-Up is AsiaDHRRA’s EU-funded initiative on “Harnessing CSO Capacities for Eliminating Child Labour (ECL) Action through Multistakeholder Partnerships and Agri-entrepreneurship”, in partnership with Kaanib Foundation, Community Organizers Multiversity (COM), and PhilDHRRA.