Brussels, 05/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - The first forum entirely devoted to children's rights was opened on Monday in Berlin under the aegis of the EU presidency and the European Commission, the aim being to seek effective tools for combating child pornography and paedophilia. “Those phenomena urgently require our consideration”, said Commissioner Franco Frattini, specifying that the number of internet sites with content related to sexual violence on children increased 1,500% between 1997 and 2005. According to experts, at least 10% of those guilty of virtual offences, mainly on the internet, move on to committing real offences involving aggression on children. The forum, to which associations representing children were invited, will meet in all EU countries, exchange information and adopt measures. “The protection of children must not stop at the border”, said Frattini, stressing that the Commission will be adopting an action plan on children's rights in external relations next month. The forum brings together the 27 EU member states, the United Nations, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, Interpol, UNICEF, national watchdogs on children's rights, mediators for children's rights, and NGOs. During its forthcoming sessions, it will tackle the question of how to ensure effective participation by children. (bc)