EUROPE/GERMANY - Star Singers: "Child labor is not an inevitable fate"

by Monika Schiefer

Aachen (Agenzia Fides) – The fight against child labor exploitation is the central theme of the 68th edition of the Star Singers 2026 initiative, which this year carries the slogan “To school instead of the factory – The Star Singers against child labor.” The campaign invites the Star Singers to engage with the reality of child labor and to raise awareness of the importance of children’s rights, especially the right to protection and education. Although child labor is prohibited internationally and the number of child laborers has decreased in recent years, the reality remains alarming: 138 million children worldwide are still forced to work, and 54 million of them do so in particularly dangerous conditions, detrimental to their health and marked by exploitation. The partner organizations of Missionary Childhood work in numerous countries to help children escape forced labor and return to school. At the same time, they raise awareness among parents, communities, businesses, and local authorities about children's rights, particularly the right to protection and education, with the aim of breaking the vicious cycle of poverty, child labor, and lack of opportunities.
"Child labor is not an inevitable fate, but the result of political and economic decisions," said Father Dirk Bingener, president of Missionary Childhood in Germany, on the occasion of International Children's Rights Day. "That is why I appeal to policymakers in Germany, in Europe, and throughout the world: ensure that children's rights are respected everywhere. Commit yourselves, as the Star Singers do, to ensure that children can go to school and are not used as cheap labor."
Every year in the days before Epiphany the "Star Singers" dressed in their costumes of Magi, with their Star and their songs during Christmas time go around visiting German homes. The children from Catholic parishes in Germany carry the "C+M+ B" blessing ("Christus mansionem benedicat - Christ bless this house") to the families, collecting donations for other children their age who suffer throughout the world.
Since its beginning in 1959, the Star Singers Campaign has grown into the largest solidarity campaign in the world by children for children. Children's projects have been supported in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Oceania and Eastern Europe.
The Pontifical Society of the Holy Childhood uses the funds to support projects around the world in the fields of education, health, pastoral care, nutrition and social integration.
This year, the Star Singers are also celebrating a special anniversary: ten years ago, on December 4, 2015, the traditional missionary initiative of the Star Singers (Aktion Dreikönigssingen) was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO (see Fides, 18/12/2015). “The work of the Star Singers continues to be an experience that inspires children today. It allows them to become personally involved in building a better world. They bring the blessing and, at the same time, become a blessing themselves to other children,” emphasized Father Dirk Bingener.

A delegation of Star Singers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia, and Hungary participated in the liturgical celebration at St. Peter’s Basilica on Thursday, January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, presided over by Pope Leo XIV. (Agenzia Fides, 1/1/2026)

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