Participation”. Societies flourish when all voices are heard, when all opinions are considered; when all citizens participate; and when the talent that exists in all communities is enabled to contribute to political institutions. Inclusion is good for societies at large, not just for those previously left out. So, creating the conditions for the effective participation of minorities should be considered by States as an integral aspect of good governance and a key priority in their efforts to ensure equality and non-discrimination. The right to effective participation is a fundamental human right, which underpins the realization of all other rights of persons belonging to ethnic or national, religious and linguistic minorities. It creates legitimate avenues through which minorities can express and protect their identities and promote all their human rights with dignity. The inclusion of minorities into the existing political processes of nations promotes social cohesion and unity and creates the conditions under which all may prosper. Central to our efforts to ensure the political participation of minorities is the right to nondiscrimination and the obligation of States to undertake positive measures where necessary to achieve a status of equality for all. The full and effective participation of minorities in all areas of public life is a concept that encompasses not only participation in political decision-making at both the local and national levels. It also requires that persons belonging to minorities should be given the means to participate effectively in the social and economic spheres of their societies and the right to equal access to public services. It is important to recognize, for example, that the