A/HRC/13/46 establishment of a children’s forum, it may open up new avenues for children to genuinely contribute to this process of follow-up and help to keep children duly informed of developments in this area. 5. Cooperation with the African Union and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and the Welfare of the Child 72. At the end of November 2009, the Special Representative held important meetings in Addis Ababa with the African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs and the Chairperson of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, with a view to exploring opportunities for collaboration in the protection of children from all forms of violence. Violence against children has been high on the policy agenda of the African region, including in the context of the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child; during the drafting of the study and when the 2006 Day of the African Child was devoted to this topic; during the Second Pan-African Forum on Children, held in Cairo in 2007; and in “The Call for Accelerated Action to make Africa Fit for Children”, adopted thereafter. With the follow-up to the study, renewed opportunities exist to move this agenda forward. 73. The initial meetings held in Addis Ababa laid the ground for fruitful institutional collaboration, including for promoting initiatives to map out critical developments and positive initiatives across the region and within African Union member States, supporting legislative reforms aimed at protecting children from all forms of violence, encouraging the development of independent institutions on children’s rights, and further consolidating national information and data systems on violence against children. 6. Cooperation with the Council of Europe 74. In the European region, significant developments have also taken place, with violence against children being given increasing attention in policymaking within the Council of Europe and the European Union. The Special Representative developed strong collaboration with these institutions and took part in strategic policy forums addressing elements of her mandate. 75. The Special Representative participated in meetings which led up to the adoption of the Council of Europe Strategy for 2009–2011 “Building a Europe for and with Children”, which identifies the protection of children from violence as a key priority concern. Under the strategy, the Council acts as the regional initiator and coordinator of national and regional initiatives to combat violence against children, and as the European forum for follow-up to the recommendations contained in the United Nations study and cooperation with the Special Representative. 76. Important regional standards and initiatives provide a framework for the protection of children from violence. To support progress in this area, the Council of Europe organized a conference in Strasbourg to establish a children’s rights platform with national focal points from countries across the region and a network of experts from key partner organizations. The Special Representative participated in this high-level policy forum, which will play a crucial role in the promotion of information-sharing, advocacy and debate, and monitor progress achieved within the European region. 77. Moreover, in November 2009, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe adopted policy guidelines on integrated national strategies for the protection of children against violence to guide national efforts for the development of a comprehensive national agenda for violence prevention and the protection of children from all forms of violence. The Special Representative participated in the process leading to the adoption of the GE.10-10640 17