in ensuring minority representation and participation. He indicated that it is indeed within the mainstream parliamentary parties that attention should be focused in combating racism and ensuring adequate participation and representation. The summit noted the need for concrete strategies to increase the representation and influence minority policymakers and resulted in seeking solutions to increase participation in decisionmaking and implementation of policy initiatives to address discrimination and inequality, supporting the exchange of ideas and sharing perspectives and best practice through the continuance of the transatlantic dialogue. Mr Frans concluded with the following recommendations: - States should take active measures to encourage political parties in Europe to adopt a code of conduct with regards to the issue of discrimination and racism but also policy guidelines in dealing with extreme right-wing organizations; - The EU Commission should organise consultations and seminars on representation and participation of people of African descent in the political and decision-making processes in Europe. Mr Pheroze Nowrojee, a Kenyan lawyer, indicated that constitutional documents are being enlarged from protection of political and civil rights to protection of all fundamental rights including health, education and housing hence demonstrating that rights protection are evolving. He underlined that the different groups in need of protection and support are also increasing and that persons suffering from poverty should be seen as the largest minority in the world. Mr Nowrojee recommended that the people who suffer from violations of their social and economic rights should be recognised as minorities and that the focus of the next session of the Forum should be their protection and the attainment of their rights. Mr Yonadam Kanna, Member of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, gave an overview of the remaining obstacles to effective political participation faced by minorities in Iraq and elsewhere, emphasising the importance of the historical background of different communities when addressing such issues. He indicated that the political process was progressing slowly in Iraq despite the existence of some discriminatory policies and that remaining obstacles depriving minorities from effective political participation included: racism, poverty, corrupted governments, lack of clear national legislation protecting minority rights, lack of binding international human rights mechanisms, lack of tolerance and diversity and the absence of education programmes that teach tolerance and social justice. He finally gave the following suggestions of solutions aimed at increasing minority political participation: establishing a clear mechanism to bring equality between minorities and the majority, creating a universal scholar programme to teach and enhance tolerance and respect for human rights, granting reserved seats for minorities at all levels of governments, granting capacity-building programmes and ensure proper elections monitoring. 20