A/HRC/19/35 and definitions used. What is known is that diverse conditions and multiple rights violations push children into developing connections with the streets. Once there, children face a range of new challenges, including hostile perceptions of them as delinquents, and many forms of violence. Nevertheless, this is a time of opportunity: States are developing or strengthening comprehensive child protection systems; civil society organizations are consolidating promising interventions; data collection is more systematic; and research is becoming more participatory. 63. A new paradigm is emerging that emphasizes relationships or “connections,” building on the idea of street “situations,” and drawing attention to choices children make as they develop relationships within the street, either alongside or instead of connections within the family, neighbourhood and school. The street is a central reference point for these children; it plays a significant role in their everyday life and identity. If we value our children, we must invest in them. Every child counts. Children in street situations have experienced great deprivation and rights violations. To support them in fulfilling their rights, investment in strengthening children’s connections with family, the community and wider society is required. 64. An important first step to ensuring this support is to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child. States that have not yet done so should, as a matter of priority, ratify the Convention and its optional protocols. They should also ratify ILO’s Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour and Convention No. 138 (1973) concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment. 65. Furthermore, the High Commissioner for Human Rights recommends that States develop comprehensive Child Protection Systems, comprising relevant laws, policies, regulations and services across all social sectors, especially social welfare, education, health, security and justice, as an overarching strategy to safeguard all children, and which promotes a holistic, rights-based approach. 66. In particular, States should: (a) Ensure responsibilities are clearly delegated, roles are clearly defined and obligations are met, so that children’s rights can be respected and fulfilled. When obligations are not met and violations occur, the State must be able to hold accountable those responsible and guarantee children access to legal redress. (b) Ensure secondary duty bearers have the capacity to carry out their specific obligations. This means developing capacity-building and/or training initiatives to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement officers, judges, social workers, teachers, doctors and others responsible for protecting children’s rights. (c) Guarantee adequate budget allocations so that the CPS can safeguard children’s rights. Budgetary information should be made public to encourage research into costs and benefits, so as to help States to invest wisely in safeguarding children’s rights. (d) Take a coordinated approach across all government departments, including those with responsibilities for finance, trade, employment, security, tourism, housing and urban planning, so as to ensure that government policies are coherent in protecting children’s rights. (e) Foster a collaborative approach in which the interests, inter-connections and expertise of non-State actors – children and families, civil society, academia, the private sector, human rights institutions and intergovernmental organizations – are recognized and brought together in partnerships that ensure children are afforded effective protection. 15