A/HRC/19/64 100. As acknowledged by surveys of children across regions, violence constitutes a key matter of concern for them. But in spite of the serious and long-lasting impact of violence in their daily lives, children show remarkable resilience and a unique ability to mobilize to promote non-violence and peaceful solutions, including by raising awareness amongst children and their families about violence and its impact, generating solidarity and support for child victims, and instilling confidence to report incidents of violence. V. Looking ahead 101. The past two years of the mandate have helped to build momentum on violence prevention and its elimination at the national, regional and international levels. As captured by this report, violence against children is generating growing concern and action, and leading to advocacy and social mobilization initiatives by a wide alliance of partners, and supported by international and regional organizations. 102. This momentum has been accompanied by concrete achievements, including national legislative and policy measures to protect children from violence, a more targeted approach by United Nations agencies and mechanisms to mainstream violence against children in the policy agenda, and a process of institutionalization of the follow-up to the recommendations of the Study by regional organizations and political groupings, and civil society actors. 103. These developments provide much hope for progress, but it remains urgent to translate the vision of the Study into reality. 2012 is a particularly strategic time to accelerate efforts, as it marks the tenth anniversary of the entry into force of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and of the commitments made at the General Assembly Special Session on Children on violence against children. It is also the year during which the General Assembly will review the Special Representative‘s mandate and re-energize efforts to build a world free from violence. Pressed by the urgency of this cause and by the unique potential offered by this auspicious year, the Special Representative will place particular attention on the areas set out below. A. Strengthening international commitments to children’s protection from violence, including through the promotion of the universal ratification of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child 104. The wide expression of support for the global campaign for the universal ratification of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the progress achieved are evidence of the value of this joint United Nations initiative. The year 2012 can become a milestone in the achievement of universal ratification and the Special Representative will continue to give priority attention to this goal. In view of the General Assembly’s adoption of the Optional Protocol on a communications procedure, efforts will also be directed towards its swift signature and entry into force. B. Enhancing awareness and knowledge of children’s exposure to violence to support effective action for violence prevention and elimination 105. Violence knows no geographic, social or cultural borders; it is widespread and occurs in all contexts, including where children are expected to enjoy special protection. To gain deeper understanding of the root causes and risk factors of this phenomenon, and identify positive experiences and strategic recommendations to assist governments in their national implementation efforts, the Special 21