A/HRC/17/46 19. There was a special reference on prevention and education measures, as well as to the respect for the views of the child and the importance of integrating him/her in decision making process which concern them. The promotion and protection of the rights of the child were not only an international obligation but also an indispensable investment to secure our future, speakers said. Integrated cross-sectoral policies, national plan of actions as well as cooperation at the national, regional and international level were important to protect the rights of children living and working on the street. Speakers expressed concern at many children working in the street and they were convinced that the protection of children had to be put at the top of political agendas and public policies. Some States said that their Governments had adopted strategies, including necessary legislative measures to ensure that street children continued to enjoy their right to education. A number of countries also informed the Human Rights Council about the steps taken at the national level with regard to the protection of children. 20. Non-governmental organizations and national human rights institutions stated that a staggering number of children living and working on the street had lost one or both parents. Children affected by HIV/AIDS suffered from extreme isolation and discrimination. Preventive and protection actions were critical to guarantee the rights of children living or working on the street and those affected or infected by HIV/AIDS and to ensure their wellbeing and security. Speakers urged that steps be taken as part of the obligation of States to uphold and protect the rights of all children, including children on the move, and that these steps be reflected in national plans, legislation and policies. Governments should develop effective and appropriate child protection systems and integrated, coordinated and comprehensive responses for all children, including those on the move. 21. The prevalence of chronic diseases, psychological problems and developmental disorders was also raised. In some countries, many non-governmental organizations had taken the responsibility of providing health services and access to other basic goods and services to street children. They urged States to provide comprehensive mobile health-care services to children living and/or working on the street, and to focus on preventive, curative and promotional aspects of health according to the needs of street children, as well as training for health workers. In addition, they called on States to refrain from criminalizing life or work on the streets and to develop policies and programmes to provide support for families in meeting their responsibilities towards their children. 22. During the dialogue, some speakers requested examples of effective measures concerning the reintegration of street children and of successful public policies; recommendations for international cooperation programmes on this subject; effective preventive measures that could be taken at the national level to protect children from having to live in the street; as well as how the shift from a charity-based to a rights-based approach could make a difference in dealing with street children. C. Concluding remarks 23. The Special Rapporteur referred to the importance of different stakeholders working together to prevent and protect children in the street. She noted the essential role of those who worked directly with children on the street and the need to involve them in integrated programmes. There should be long-term social and psychological support and, where possible, a return of children to their parents. Legislation should recognize the need to protect children and that there should be access to economic activities for children. She added that the protection of children living or working in the street required a systematic approach and that a process of finding, supporting and rehabilitating them required human and financial resources. The family should provide a protective environment to allow children not only to develop, but to flourish too. The challenge was how to incorporate 7