a joint work plan. The challenge that the EAC has is how to work with local CSOs. The Eastern Africa Child Rights Network can maybe help to bridge that gap. g. A recommendation was made to ACERWC that they need to ensure that the decision makers are at the meetings we are organizing. It would be good to improve communication so that we can get the people at these meetings. 6.0. Collaboration and action plan on the way forward on protection and promotion of children’s rights in EAC in line with the Charter, the EAC Child Policy and Agenda 2040 Deliberation 6.1. EAC-ACERWC Collaboration Plan Since 2014/2015 the ACERWC and EAC have been working on developing a collaboration plan. This plan is still being developed and has not been adopted yet. The ACERWC and the EAC would like to get ideas from us on what can be done to enhance this collaboration and better protect children’s rights in this region. This plan will be shared with participants after the meeting so that they can contribute their thoughts. The presenter briefly shared the collaboration framework that has 3 major goals namely: • To formalise, improve and systematise working relations between the ACERWC, the RECs and their Liaison Offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. • To enhance the implementation of the ACRWC among the Member States constituting each REC. • To further strengthen the capacities and capabilities of the relevant institutions of the RECs and constituting states to effectively promote the rights and welfare of the child. It was recognized that REC’s are the building blocks of AU and therefore there is a need to systemize the working relationships so that it is not just about the events that are organized. The presenter asked participants if they have any immediate recommendations. A representative of Railway Children Africa shared that they are in process of establishing a national youth platform for children and youth living and working on the streets. She requested that this platform is provided an opportunity to be part of the upcoming children’s summits that will be organized by the EAC and the ACERWC. While children all have the same fundamental needs, we need to address their specific circumstances based on their experienced realities. For example, street connected children, children engaged in commercial sex work, and child refugees have different needs and so our work with them needs to factor in different approaches while addressing the root causes. 6.2. Way forward: a. The ACERWC would like to have an annual forum where they bring the relevant Ministries and the Ministers and engage them in discussions around policy change to advocate for better protection at country level. It would be good to also include