By Italian Presidential Decree of 18 December 1990, Telefono Azzurro gained recognition as a non-profit organization as a result of the important work it was carrying out to defend children’s rights. In 1990, the first toll-free telephone helpline for children (1.96.96 – which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year) was set up. It currently also takes calls from adults who want to report on missing or exploited children. The association’s foundation was a concrete response to the International Convention on the Right of the Child that was signed by the United Nations in 1989. Telefono Azzurro’s commitment to listen to children evolved over years and consequently has become more and more specialized: operators received full professional training and began to cooperate with other European organizations. Likewise, the association progressed as information technology evolved. Telefono Azzurro’s National Listening Center has approximately a hundred volunteers and a call center service with specialized counselors and telephone lines.