321. In order ensure that children’s participation in public life is effective, a children’s parliament has been instituted in Mali by Decree No. 96-172/PM-RM of 13 June 1996. The children’s Parliament is a platform for expression which enables them to participate in public life. Furthermore, branches of such parliaments are operational at the regional and local levels. 322. The Children’s Parliament is both a space for dialogue between members and other citizens of the country, a space for the expression of children, a space for dialogue and advocacy in the areas of protection, survival, development and participation by children. 323. Today, the Ministry of Women, Children and Family Affairs has, in collaboration with all the partners involved in the promotion of children’s rights, embarked on the formulation of a national policy on the promotion and protection of the child including an action plan for 2013-2017. 324. The major challenges to be addressed in the implementation of this policy are: a better knowledge of the extent of the situation of vulnerable children, building the capacity of institutions operating in the area of child care through allocation of adequate human, material and financial resources and the development of a protective environment for the child. Th rights of older persons and persons with disabilities 325. With regard to the situation of vulnerable groups, in particular senior citizens and people with disabilities, it must be noted that Mali has subscribed to international legal instruments protecting these categories of people. Indeed, the State has participated in all stages, right from the formulation to the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 326. Efforts have been made for an improved protection of this group. Measures have in particular been taken by the Government for older persons through the establishment of care facilities, the construction of “the Older People’s Home”, the creation of a Ministry of a Ministry for Social Development, Solidarity and Older Persons. 327. Concerning access to employment by persons with disabilities, the Government is in process of recruiting several young graduates with disabilities into the public service. Training sessions on the search for employment were initiated by the National Employment Agency (ANPE), in order to facilitate their socio-professional integration. 328. The Ministry of Social Development, Solidarity and Older Persons has taken several actions, including: - the strengthening of culture and solidarity through the celebration since 1995 of the Month of Solidarity in the fight against exclusion, with a whole week dedicated to persons with disabilities; 65