A/HRC/23/29 50 In the opinion of a number of participants, the VDPA also represented a milestone for women's rights, in particular regarding the issue of violence against women. 51. Several States stressed that the VDPA played a pivotal role in highlighting human rights education and training as essential for the promotion and protection of human rights. In addition to calling on States to take several measures in this regard, the document called on the United Nations to support human rights education and training, and recommended the proclamation of a United Nations decade for human rights education. This decade was followed by the World Programme for Human Rights Education, currently in its second phase. 52. In terms of the human rights system, several participants referred to the creation of the post of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. They expressed praise at the central role played by the High Commissioner and the work done by her Office over the previous twenty years. The work of the Office in supporting special procedures, treaty bodies, the universal periodic review, in providing technical assistance and monitoring human rights worldwide was particularly highlighted. This had contributed to the recognition of human rights as one of the three pillars of the United Nations. Some delegations insisted that the Office should receive sufficient resources from the regular budget to face the increasing number of mandates addressed to it. 53. In terms of the development of the human rights machinery, the establishment of the Human Rights Council and the universal periodic review were also mentioned. 54. Referring to the fact that the VDPA recognized the fundamental role played by regional arrangements for the promotion and protection of human rights, some delegations mentioned various developments at the regional level in continuity of the Vienna Conference. 55. The role of national human rights institutions was also highlighted, and it was recalled the VDPA reaffirmed the important and constructive role played by national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights. In this context, it was proposed that efforts continue, including through sharing best practices, to ensure their effective and independent functioning. 56. Participants also highlighted several challenges. 57. One such challenge related to the situation of children, as it was pointed out that according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), around one third of children worldwide die every year of food-related illness and malnutrition, despite the almost universal ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 58. Some States stated that, while the universality of human rights was reaffirmed, there were still difficulties and challenges in the promotion and protection of human rights, such as politicization of human rights issues, selectivity or discrimination. In their view, the full enjoyment of human rights was possible only if diverse stakeholders joined together to affirm their commitment to human rights on every aspect of life. Dialogue and cooperation, as well as positive and constructive engagement, should be the favoured approach when dealing with human rights, in particular in the context of the Human Rights Council. 59. Poverty was highlighted by some as undermining the realization of fundamental human rights. They stated that poverty alleviation should be a priority for the human rights machinery, recalling that the VDPA reiterated the centrality of attaining equality of opportunity for all. 60. Some States underlined the need to address emerging challenges and issues, such as racism, as well as racial and religious discrimination and hatred. 12