A/67/230 40. The Special Representative participated in key policy discussions to promote the consideration of violence against children as a cross-cutting concern on the United Nations agenda. This included cooperation with UNODC on violence against children in the justice system, during the thematic debate held by the Human Rights Council, and with UN-Women on gender-based violence and the legal protection of girls from violence and harmful practices, during the Commission on the Status of Women and in the lead-up to the International Day of the Girl Child. Strategic cooperation was also pursued with United Nations partners to prevent and minimize the impact of armed and gang violence on children, including through policies that help to reduce the availability of and access to small arms. 41. Collaboration with ILO was further pursued, helping to highlight incidents of violence endured by children in settings where they work, including in the framework of the implementation of the Roadmap for Achieving the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour by 2016 and the commemoration of the World Day against Child Labour. 42. In 2012, new strategic partnerships were developed. In the framework of her collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Special Representative joined the Violence Prevention Alliance, which brings together WHO member States, international agencies, academia and civil society organizations. 8 The Alliance adopted a strategic plan of action for the period 2012-2020, which constitutes a valuable asset for the implementation of the priorities of the mandate on policy and legal reform, and data and research, as it is aimed at unifying global efforts in support of national goals for the prevention of violence, and the implementation of evidence-based strategies on good parenting, life skills, social norms, the risks of firearm-related deaths and injuries, and services for victims. Participation in the fifth Milestones of a Global Campaign for Violence Prevention Meeting in 2011 became an important resource for the expert consultation on data and research on violence against children (see para. 24 above), in view of the new evidence presented on effective interventions to prevent interpersonal violence and promote increased collaboration across sectors and disciplines. 43. With a view to strengthening partnerships and knowledge-sharing for law reform and the introduction of an explicit legal prohibition on all forms of violence against children, the Special Representative joined the Global Forum on Law, Justice and Development, promoted under the auspices of the World Bank. The Forum provides a dynamic framework for consolidating and disseminating knowledge on legal responses to development issues, connecting Governments, think tanks, regional and international organizations, international financial institutions and civil society organizations with relevant research and practice. 44. The Special Representative also joined the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues, which supports the mandate of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. This important partnership and the collaboration with the Permanent Forum open avenues for a strengthened attention to the protection of indigenous children from violence and the consolidation of efforts to prevent its occurrence. __________________ 8 12-45164 www.who.int/violenceprevention/en/. 13