A/HRC/32/20 on a wide range of issues engage all citizens in helping solve the country’s most pressing problems, including complex economic reforms and rising prices.27 40. Countries in transition, in particular, are often dependent on expertise and services provided by civil society. The State may devolve humanitarian services to civil society and proactively engage it in processes to develop a new constitution, laws governing State institutions and elections, as well as in problem-solving and planning for the future. 28 41. A State-civil society partnership plan involving El Salvador,29 Guatemala and Honduras has been developed to improve the lives of young children and address humanitarian and social problems associated with unaccompanied children migrating to the United States. 42. State-civil society consultations regarding policy development for specific sectors, such as persons with disabilities, have resulted in the design and implementation of joint plans to advance the participation of persons with disabilities in public affairs and social integration, for example in Lithuania. In Ecuador, meetings with civil society groups and families of disappeared persons have led to positive policy recommendations, while consultations with groups representing persons of African descent resulted in commitments to work jointly to counter discrimination. 30 43. The role of civil society in advancing social care, carrying out work in the context of humanitarian or other emergencies or accessing remote communities, sometimes in risky conditions, underscores the importance of joint design and planning of projects with Governments, as reported, for example, by the Government of Qatar.31 Thus, in West Africa, cooperation among all concerned actors, including civil society, strengthened efforts to eradicate Ebola.32 The involvement of organizations from the outset as partners with ministries in developing strategies and mechanisms for implementation and in the review and design and costing of projects contributes to greater effectiveness and relevance. 44. Civil society actors themselves constantly create space, crossing national and regional divides, uniting diaspora communities and organizing international and regional consultations to address common concerns,33 and set up networks and coalitions for specific events or activities.34 For example, in Colombia, dozens of families, with support from the Inter-Church Justice and Peace Commission and Peace Brigades International, joined forces to create a humanitarian space for the community in a particularly violent environment, working to protect civilians by prohibiting the entry of illegal armed groups. 35 Messages delivered by faith-based groups and religious leaders play an influential role within their respective communities, encouraging tolerance, cautioning against incitement to hatred and violence and addressing issues such as domestic violence. Leaders of different faiths united in their support for assistance to refugees and migrants contribute to expanding space for debate.36 45. Academic institutions can provide a safe environment in which diverse views are expressed and challenged and lend themselves well to partnerships with civil society that 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 10 Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations Office at Geneva. Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic to the United Nations Office at Geneva. Permanent Mission of El Salvador to the United Nations Office at Geneva. Ombudsman of Ecuador. Permanent Mission of Qatar to the United Nations Office at Geneva. United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women). Asia Democracy Network. Fiji Women’s Rights Movement. Peace Brigades International. Persons Against Non-State Torture.