A Thai activist who defied death threats to prevent disadvantaged young people from being sold into prostitution has been honoured in the annual World’s Children’s Prize awards.
Sompop Jantraka is recognised for work for children.
More than two million children across the world took part in a vote to name their children’s rights hero for 2013.
The top award was handed to former child slave James Kofi Annan from Ghana, for his efforts to liberate child fishing slaves.
But Sompop Jantraka was selected as one of two highly-commended winners for his 25-year fight against trafficking and exploitation of children in the sex industry and other forms of forced labour.
Nominated for the award by an international panel of young judges including former child soldiers, Mr Sompop was praised for his work supporting children at risk of being sold into the sex trade because of issues such as parental debt and drug addiction.
He founded the Development Education Programme for Daughters and Communities/Greater Mekong Sub-Region, which offers free accommodation to children, and funds their schooling to offer them an alternative to prostitution.
Despite receiving death threats as a result of his work, he has built up a school and vocational training centre, two safe homes for vulnerable children, a 24-hour crisis phone line, and a radio and TV station run by young people.
The World’s Children’s Prize is a global education programme that teaches children about their rights and gives them the opportunity to learn about democracy by voting for their own children's rights hero.
Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria will assist children from 15 countries in presenting the awards to the winners in a ceremony at Gripsholm Castle in Mariefred, Sweden on 17 Oct.