E/CN.4/1988/4 5 page 27 64. Thus, the extent and gravity of the international threat opposed by religious intolerance to the integrity and dignity of the individual are particularly to be seen in the implications of religious intolerance for a whole range of rights and freedoms. 65. The persistence of this threat makes it all the more necessary for the international community to take concerted action with a view to implementing measures to guarantee effective observance of the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Recommendations 66. The proposal to elaborate new international norms for the protection and promotion of freedom of religion or belief should be,kept under consideration. The formulation of an international convention on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief is clearly a lengthy task which will probably take years to complete. Action to achieve this goal should be taken at both the international and national levels. 67. At the international level, it would be Commission, in accordance with the procedure during recent years, an informal, open-ended considering a draft convention on freedom of desirable to establish within the followed in several similar cases working group responsible for religion and belief. 68. Also at the national level, states should endeavour to take measures to facilitate the formulation of international standards through adequate internal preparations and, at the same time, pending the availability of such a binding international instrument, to guarantee respect for the standards currently applicable, thus preventing or penalizing incidents and measures inconsistent with the standards concerned. 69. To this end, States should endeavour to adapt their legislation to existing international norms so as to combat religious intolerance and prohibit any discrimination based on religion or belief. States might approach the competent United Nations bodies for technical assistance in drafting new legislative provisions, where appropriate, or adapting existing legislation to bring it more into line with the principles proclaimed by the Declaration. 70. In practical terms, States must take effective measures to prevent and eliminate any discrimination based on religion or belief. These measures might include, in particular, a review of administrative practices; the organization of training courses for persons responsible for applying laws and administrative practices; the introduction of educational programmes in schools and universities with the aim of familiarizing young people with the concept of human rights in general and of religious freedoms in particular, acquainting them with the basic principles of the major religions and beliefs and thus fostering among them a spirit of tolerance and understanding; and the establishment of machinery ensuring regular meetings of governmental and non-governmental representatives competent for problems of religion or belief to make suggestions for effective action against religious intolerance.