7 1. DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE Codes and standards 1 Conflict prevention and resolution Constitutional reforms Effectiveness of the administration Access to justice Promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights Customary leadership Promotion of women’s rights Participation of the youth in political governance Promoting the rights of vulnerable groups Promoting social dialogue and participative governance 1.1. Codes and standards Burkina Faso has ratified all the conventions and treaties prescribed by the basic documents of the Mechanism. 1.2. Conflict prevention and resolution In 2012, Burkina Faso left no stone unturned to ensure the resolution and prevention of conflicts in the world and in Africa. Indeed, it participated in the inaugural meeting of the support Group set up to monitor the situation in Mali and the 9th working session of the International Contact Group on Guinea-Bissau (GIC-GB) held in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, on 7 June 2012. The mediation efforts of the President of Faso in the Republic of Mali resulted in the signing, in 2013 in Ouagadougou, of the preliminary agreement between the Malian Government, the Azawad National Liberation