Regional Studies Center

Regional Studies Center/Continuing Education Unit, in collaboration with the Presidency of the University of Mosul/Studies and Planning Department/Sustainable Development Unit, held a seminar entitled “Child Labor: Causes and Solutions,” which addressed the issue of child labor as one of the most serious social phenomena with cross-border regional implications, given the economic, security, and educational challenges it poses to countries in the region alike, on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

The seminar was delivered by Assist. Prof. Dr. Batool Halil Jubair who examined the key drivers of child labor, foremost among them poverty, armed conflicts, displacement, weak legislation, and economic vulnerability. It also explored the regional repercussions of the phenomenon on labor markets, social stability, and the cross-border transmission of exploitative practices. In addition, the discussion highlighted the responsibility of states and regional organizations to coordinate policies and programs capable of curbing this phenomenon.

The seminar linked the issue of child labor to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

Goal 8: Promote decent work and eliminate all forms of child labor.

Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Goal 16: Build peaceful societies and protect human rights, foremost among them the rights of the child.

The seminar concluded by emphasizing that combating child labor is not merely a national responsibility, but a regional issue that requires cross-border partnerships and integrated development strategies placing the child at the heart of protection and sustainable development policies.