A/HRC/19/36 with disabilities and DPOs in the preparation of their reports to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (art. 35). E. Monitoring, data collection and indicators 62. The collection and maintenance of appropriate information, including statistical and research data, is important to formulate and implement policies to give effect to the Convention (art. 31), including the provision on participation in political and public life. Through the collection of data and statistics it is possible to identify where barriers to the political participation of persons with disabilities lie. Appropriate information, bearing in mind ethical principles in the collection and use of statistics, can also help identify persons requiring support in order to exercise their political rights. 63. In some States, national authorities collect statistics on disability, for example in relation to education, benefits and rehabilitation available to persons with disabilities. However, only a few respondent States collect statistical information on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in political and public life. Canada provided statistical information on political participation of persons with disabilities in the most recent federal elections. 64. Some of the respondents are planning to start collecting data on the political participation of persons with disabilities in the near future. Australia, for example, is currently developing a set of indicators to monitor progress against the national disability strategy, which includes the political participation of persons with disabilities as one of its policy areas. In Germany, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will include data on the participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life in its next report, which will be published towards the end of 2012. F. International cooperation to support the participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life 65. In accordance with the Convention, States parties recognize the importance of international cooperation and its promotion in supporting national efforts for the full realization of the rights of persons with disabilities (art. 32).12 International cooperation can occur between and among States or in partnership with relevant intergovernmental organizations and civil society organizations, in particular organizations of persons with disabilities. International cooperation is to be directed towards “the realization of the purpose and objectives of the present Convention” (art. 32, para. 1). Since the purposes and objectives of the Convention are “to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities” (art. 1, para. 1), international cooperation represents an important instrument to support the realization of political rights of persons with disabilities. 66. Only a limited number of States have developed specific cooperation programmes aimed at promoting the participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life. The Australian Agency for International Development, for example, has provided direct support for more inclusive elections in a number of countries, including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. The majority, however, do not support any specific cooperation programmes relating to the political participation of persons with disabilities. A 12 14 See the Thematic study by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the role of international cooperation in support of national efforts for the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities (A/HRC/16/38).