A/HRC/FMI/2021/1 As prevention is usually discussed in a post-conflict context, and given that stopping violence once a conflict has erupted is far more difficult (and costly) than preventing one, the Forum will aim to shift the focus towards prevention. 5. Towards a lasting peace: positive initiatives to better protect the rights of minorities to prevent conflicts Wide-reaching discussions with the participation of minorities are needed on the ways forward and means to advance the protection of the human rights of minorities and the prevention of conflicts involving them. A number of questions should be asked, such as whether additional instruments at the international or regional levels are needed; whether existing norms have to be strengthened through better implementation, oversight and enforcement; and whether the recognition and protection of the rights of minorities should be highlighted even more in United Nations conflict prevention tools and mechanisms. Innovative proposals are invited to help to develop norms, mechanisms and practices that can significantly improve early and effective prevention of protracted and deadly conflicts. Particular attention should be paid to how equal respect for the human rights of minorities can be integrated in all areas of conflict prevention work of the United Nations and other stakeholders. The session will focus on practical solutions designed to prevent violent conflicts involving minorities. Participants will discuss the role of United Nations agencies, national human rights institutions, civil society and other stakeholders. In order to further clarify positive initiatives to prevent conflicts, participants will consider the Beirut Declaration on Faith for Rights 2 and its 18 commitments. 3 More specifically, participants will reflect on the commitment by faith-based and civil society actors to exchange on practices in areas of mediation, early detection of communal tensions and remedial techniques. Participants will also debate the role of minority youth and women as valuable innovators and agents of change, whose contributions should be seen as an essential part of preventing conflicts and building peaceful communities, as recommended by the Forum at its tenth session (see A/HRC/37/73). Participants will also reflect on the benefits of minority youth and minority women ownership and leadership in conflict prevention processes. From capacity-building programmes and interfaith dialogues to accountability for past atrocities, the current session will aim to inspire more awareness-raising activities and to raise the visibility of the human rights of minorities as a key tool in conflict prevention, and ways forward to better reflect and incorporate them in conflict prevention strategies and mechanisms. 6. Concluding remarks Participants will draw on the outcomes of the two days of discussion to reflect on the best ways of addressing the issue of conflict prevention and the protection of the human rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. Participants will be encouraged to identify and define, in relation to each item of the present agenda, a number of recommendations to States, intergovernmental organizations, national human rights institutions, non-governmental organizations and other civil society actors for the promotion and fulfilment of the rights of persons belonging to minorities in relation to preventing conflicts involving minorities. The Chair of the Forum on Minority Issues and the Special Rapporteur on minority issues will make concluding remarks, including proposals for follow-up steps to be taken together with Forum participants 2 3 4 Available from www.ohchr.org/Documents/Press/21451/BeirutDeclarationonFaithforRights.pdf. Available from www.ohchr.org/Documents/Press/21451/18CommitmentsonFaithforRights.pdf.