A/60/333 elements could be relevant to the mandate, purposes and operation of a voluntary fund. 20. Taking into account the experience of similar funds, such as that dealing with contemporary forms of slavery, the voluntary fund would: (a) pay for the travel of minority representatives and experts on minority issues, particularly from developing countries, in minority-related activities organized by the United Nations, particularly its human rights bodies — and in doing so give particular attention to ensuring the participation of young people and women; (b) support minority projects in the area of human rights; and (c) support initiatives of the High Commissioner and her Office to promote and protect the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Also as in the case of other funds, decisions on the use of monies would be made by the Secretary-General with the advice of a board of trustees/advisory group (there would be human resource and financial implications with regard to secretariat assistance to support the board’s work). Funding should be obtained by means of voluntary contributions from Governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations and other private or public entities. 21. The Working Group on Minorities also proposed that an international year, to be followed by a decade, for the world’s minorities be proclaimed. This recommendation was supported by the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. During the debate on minority issues at the sixtieth session of the Commission on Human Rights, it was indicated that any further consideration of the proposal would require details concerning the goals, activities and budget. In this regard, the General Assembly may wish to consider requesting OHCHR to consult with Governments on developing a theme, goals and timing of an international year for the world’s minorities. V. Good practices in the field of education 22. Issues concerning education were raised in the Working Group on Minorities and the subregional meetings held in 2004. During discussions at the tenth session of the Working Group, reference was made to the provisions of the Declaration concerning instruction in minority languages and the content of curricula. Difficult choices had to be made in determining how to reconcile separate instruction with the need to pursue a multicultural and multilingual curriculum. Attention also focused on the need for careful review of the content of education, particularly as the education in certain schools, most notably fundamentalist religious schools, could exacerbate religious, communal and sectarian antagonism and conflict. The latter concern was also raised during the South Asian subregional meeting, which adopted recommendations to Governments to reform and review educational curricula and to the United Nations to assist Governments in this task. With a view to actively promoting understanding between different communities, the United Nations was also requested to sponsor media programmes on the importance of promoting religious tolerance through the education system. 23. At the Central Asian subregional meeting, the role of multilingual education in supporting ethnic integration and equality was highlighted. The recommendations adopted made reference to the usefulness of introducing multilingual education models such as those supported by UNESCO. It was further suggested that a round table be held in the subregion with the participation of different entities interested in 05-48136 9

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