A/68/274 with the World Day of Prayer and Action for Children was further enhanced. Violence against children is the central theme for the World Day, initiated by a global movement of religious leaders and communities of all faiths and secular organizations committed to children’s rights. On the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the movement promotes initiatives around the world to prevent and eliminate violence against children. In May 2013, the Special Representative participated in the World Day Council Meeting in Coimbatore, India, which committed to expanding its advocacy and mobilization work, including by strengthening partnerships with religious communities, secular organizations, civil society and Governments; enhancing interfaith collaboration; increasing young people’s participation; and improving the use of media, including traditional and social media. 4. Widening alliances with children and young people and promoting childfriendly resources 102. Children’s participation was a crucial dimension in the study and remains a core component of its follow-up process. Through field visits, regional initiatives and social media, the Special Representative consults with children and benefits from their views and perspectives. Participating in regional consultations, children have contributed to the regional road maps adopted by Governments to prevent and address violence against children. They also contributed to the global survey conducted by the Special Representative. 103. The Special Representative continues to support children in making their voices heard and in influencing the process leading up to the post-2015 global development agenda. 104. Young people have also been crucial partners in the campaign for the universal ratification of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In MERCOSUR, the June 2013 session of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and High Authorities on Human Rights included a meeting devoted to the Optional Protocol on a communications procedure, with the participation of a young Salvadoran, representing the Latin America Network of Children and Adolescents. In his address, he emphasized the crucial value of the Protocol to young people. Recognizing its special relevance for child victims of human rights violations, who desperately need to have access to justice and effective and safe remedies, he called on all States to speed up the ratification of the Protocol and to consolidate the protection of children’s rights in the region. 105. The Special Representative continues to promote the access by children to information and advocacy materials which can help to prevent violence and enhance children’s protection. A web tool for children and young people is under preparation for availability on the Special Representative’s website, and child-friendly resources are being developed with easy and accessible information on international standards, including the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, the Optional Protocol on a communications procedure and the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. 13-41970 25/26

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents