CRC/C/15/Add.201 page 5 and all groups of professionals working with and for children, as well as children, parents and the public at large are still not sufficiently aware of the Convention and the rights-based approach enshrined therein. 23. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its awareness-raising efforts and encourages the State party to provide systematic training and education on the rights and the principles and provisions of the Convention to, inter alia, professionals working with and for children and vocational schools. Cooperation with NGOs 24. The Committee welcomes the transfer to regional offices of all decision-making related to the issuance of authorizations to NGOs as service providers aimed at offering greater support to this sector, and encourages further strengthening of relations and cooperation between the Government and civil society. The Committee remains concerned that insufficient efforts have been made to involve civil society in the implementation of the Convention following a rights-based approach. 25. The Committee emphasizes the important role civil society plays as a partner in implementing the provisions of the Convention, including with respect to civil rights and freedoms, and welcomes closer cooperation with NGOs. The Committee, in particular, urges the State party to involve more systematically and to support NGOs, especially rights-based ones, and other sectors of civil society working with and for children, at all stages of the implementation of the Convention. 2. Definition of the child 26. The Committee welcomes the amendment to section 216b of the Criminal Code concerning the deletion from the text of the words “unless such person has attained majority earlier” in the definition of the child as a person younger than 18 years of age. However, the Committee is concerned at the information received on the ongoing debate on the juvenile justice reform in the State party intended to lower the age of criminal responsibility. 27. In the spirit of the Convention, especially with reference to articles 3 (the best interests of the child) and 12 (the right to life, to the maximum possible survival and development of the child), the Committee urges the State party to retain the present age of criminal responsibility of 15 years. 3. General principles Non-discrimination 28. The Committee welcomes the Method Instruction of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports on education against expressions of racism, xenophobia and intolerance. The Committee also notes the numerous initiatives of the State party to counter discrimination in education, in particular against children belonging to the Roma minority, including the adoption