Ms. George-Pau Langevin, a member of the French National Assembly, gave a presentation on “Obstacles faced by minorities in accessing political responsibilities”, in which she indicated that, theoretically, the French Constitution gives equal rights to all citizens whatever their origins, religion or color but that the reality shows that there are very few persons belonging to minorities in the French political system. Ms. Anastasia Crickley, Chairperson of EUFRA, gave a presentation on ''Minority participation: challenges and opportunities in Ireland and Europe”, stating that, although the European Union and its Member States legislative frameworks and directives on discrimination, the Conventions of the Council of Europe and the decisions of the OSCE have all contributed to addressing discrimination and racism, barriers to participation continue to exist across Europe and that racism and associated forms of discrimination have to be addressed for the question of political participation of minorities to be managed. In this regard, she emphasised the importance of data collection and the need for clear terminology further stating that robust analysis and review of the experience of participation and interventions to ensure non-discrimination as well as monitoring of the outcomes for minorities are essential. She suggested that the Forum should recommend consideration of a positive duty on the State, with appropriate monitoring mechanisms to secure effective participation by minorities. Finally, she indicated that consideration of these matters needs to go well beyond local, national and regional governmental structures to the achievement of effective participation for minorities in all governance structures at every level and that political participation cannot await the end of the economic recession. Ms. Sophia Abdi Noor, Member of the Kenyan Parliament, gave a presentation on the “Challenges facing minority women in political participation and their solutions: the case of Kenya and other neighbouring countries” in which she gave an account of her experience as first Somali woman to contest for a parliamentary seat in Kenya in 1997. She indicated that some of the challenges faced by minority women in East and Horn of Africa in their attempt to participate in the political processes include: lack of economic resources, marginalisation and poverty, lack of education and training, negative cultural and religious practices, lack of empowerment, denial of rights by some governments, economic challenges, rigid political parties and political processes in some countries, political violence, discrimination and lack of progressive policies in political parties and governments as well as lack of media support. According to Ms. Noor, solutions to these challenges include: economic empowerment, education and training, minority women scholarships, internships and fellowships, research and lobby groups, access to legal aid for minority women, enactment of laws to prevent electoral and political violence against, elimination of all forms of discrimination against minority women, affirmative action policies for minority women, role models, discussion forums, round tables and interactive sessions and minority rights radio. 7