A/49/415/Add.1 English Page 20 minority. With regard to contacts with Germany, and particularly with the Land of Schleswig-Holstein (which lies directly below the border), the Council for Matters Relating to the German Minority In North Schleswig of the SchleswigHolstein Landtag (regional parliament) is of special significance. That body generally meets twice a year under the chairmanship of the President of the Landtag. It consists of members of the Landtag, members of the Bundestag from Schleswig-Holstein, representatives of the Government of the Land and representatives of the German minority in Denmark. 93. The Bund deutscher Nordschleswiger has links throughout Europe with other national minorities and ethnic groups within the framework of the Föderalistische Union Europäischer Volksgruppen (FUEV, Federalist Union of European Ethnic Groups) and cooperates with other German minorities in a working group. The activities of the BdN and the other German associations are financed through their own efforts, as well as through donations from private individuals, associations and foundations and, substantially, through grants from the Danish national budget and the budget of Danish municipalities. Considerable sums are also provided by the Federal Republic of Germany and the Land of Schleswig-Holstein. 94. The social welfare of the German families is the responsibility of the Sozialdienist Nordschleswig (North Schleswig Social Services). The work of the minority farmers is supported by the Landwirtschaftlicher Hauptverein für Nordschleswig (Main Agricultural Association for North Schleswig), which receives grants from the Government of Denmark for its advisory services. A group called Collegium 1961 looks after students from the German minority at Danish universities and colleges and, in that connection, runs two small student halls. The German minority sees shortfalls in public funding, particularly in the lack of grants for kindergartens in some communities and in the financing of cultural activities. 95. The Land of Schleswig-Holstein supports through grants not only the school system, but also cultural and youth work, adult education, the health service, the Federation of Agricultural Associations and the political work of the SSV group in the regional parliament. Grants for the Danish minority’s cultural activities are given at the local level as well. The minority sees a problem, in particular, in what it regards as insufficient financial support for Danish culture and for kindergartens from some of the municipalities. 96. The two Governments also pointed out that, in the case of grants and other benefits from public funds decided upon a discretionary basis, that treatment of members of the two minorities must not differ from that of other citizens. 97. In addition, according to information provided by the Danish Ministry of the Interior, the Government of Denmark facilitates the setting up of, and provides economic support for, various associations and councils for immigrants and refugees, allowing them an effective means of voicing their concerns and wishes in relation to their situation in Danish society. Among the most important examples are two non-governmental organizations: the Federation of Ethnic Minorities in Denmark and the Immigrants Council in Denmark. Furthermore, the Council of Immigrants, which is a forum for all immigrant /...