A/HRC/25/47 “implies ensuring inter-generational justice and a future world fit for children. This entails safeguarding a sustainable future in which children will be able to grow up healthy, wellnourished, resilient, well-educated, culturally sensitive and protected from violence and neglect.”8 34. In its report, the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda pays significant attention to the right of freedom from fear and from violence, recognizing this as “the most fundamental human entitlement, and the essential foundation for building peaceful and prosperous societies.”9 It stressed: “To fulfil our vision of promoting sustainable development, we must go beyond the [Millennium Development Goals]. They did not focus enough on reaching the very poorest and most excluded people. They were silent on the devastating effects of conflict and violence on development.”10 35. During the period covered by the present report, important global thematic consultations were held to inform the future development agenda. In Helsinki, Monrovia and Panama City, the consultations devoted to violence and citizen security gave prominent attention to human rights and the elimination of all forms of violence. During the Panama consultation, participants specifically called for the inclusion of distinct goals to safeguard the protection of boys and girls from violence. 36. The protection of children from violence was also voiced as a special concern at the many national consultations held around the world to inform the post-2015 development agenda. As noted in a report produced by the United Nations Development Group Millennium Development Goals Task Force, personal security and life in peace are particularly urgent concerns for people around the world, while inequality and lack of policies for children and youth are acknowledged as crucial drivers of violence.11 Clearly, there is a wide consensus on the urgency of addressing children’s protection from violence. 37. The question at hand is therefore not whether or not children’s freedom from violence should be reflected in the development agenda beyond 2015. The fundamental question is how best to address this critical concern and identify practical goals and targets to mobilize action and leverage progress in the years to come. To advance this process, three important steps are needed. 38. Firstly, it is crucial to mobilize the voice and support of leaders in all areas. In this spirit, on 20 November 2013, the International Day of the Child, the Special Representative together with other United Nations child rights experts issued a call to all Governments to include the protection from violence of all girls and boys, including the most vulnerable and marginalized, as a priority in the post-2015 agenda, and to back this commitment with firm funding.12 39. As this joint statement highlights, “the post-2015 framework is a renewed opportunity to ensure that children’s rights are front and centre in the global development agenda to effectively prevent and address violence against children and fight impunity for 8 9 10 11 12 Ibid., para. 64. A New Global Partnership, p. 9. Ibid., executive summary, third paragraph. A Million Voices: The World We Want (2013), pp. 32–33. Available from www.worldwewant2015.org/bitcache/9158d79561a9de6b34f95568ce8b389989412f16?vid=422422& disposition=inline&op=view. Statement of the Special Representative and other special procedures on the occasion of the International Day of the Child, 20 November 2013. Available from http://srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org/story/2013-11-20_930. 9