A/72/275 36. Bullying severely undermines children’s health, emotional well -being and school performance. The psychological and emotional scars that are left may persist into adult life. 37. The study informed important global initiatives, including the organization in Sweden of the first World Anti-Bullying Forum, with the participation of experts, practitioners and academics to broaden the understanding of bullying and promote the use of effective prevention strategies. 38. In January 2017, the Special Representative participated in a major international symposium on “School violence and bullying: from evidence to action”, organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Ewha Womans University in Seoul, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea. The symposium brought together participants from all regions, including representatives of Governments, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations and acade mia, as well as young people. 39. During the symposium, School Violence and Bullying: Global Status Report was launched and a multi-stakeholder platform for data and research established. This platform will gather evidence on the prevalence of bullying and school violence, and on effective interventions to address it, and promote standardized definitions and monitoring methodologies. 40. The commitments made at the symposium are a major boost to mobilizing attention and action on bullying, supporting the implementation of the recommendations in the report of the Secretary-General and advancing progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal targets. 41. The second study issued by the Special Representative, Protecting Children affected by Armed Violence in the Community, 8 was launched in Quito during the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III). 42. The study noted that armed violence in the community disrupts social harmony and family life, interrupts schooling, compromises health care and undermines economic growth. It generates fear and insecurity, which limit children’s ability to move freely, enjoy childhood and develop as empowered citizens. Such violence is thought to affect 300 million children under the age of five and is often associated with gang activities and organized crime. 43. Half of the world’s population lives in cities, and children represent half of that population. Increasing urbanization, along with high levels of economic inequality and endemic poverty, make the risk of violence particularly acute. As the study highlights, however, by building safe urban and school spaces for children, by supporting families and engaging with local authorities, and by investing in public safety and access to justice, violence in the community can be prevented and risks reduced. 44. The development of the study drew on the experience of local authorities and provided a strategic opportunity to mobilize mayors for the promotion of a safe urban environment for children. 45. The study was informed by the views and experiences of children, who also participated in its launch. Young people from the Regional Network of Children and Adolescents in Latin America and the Caribbean contributed to the preparation of __________________ 8 17-13267 United Nations publication, Sales No. E.16.I.15. 7/18