A/60/333 supporting the introduction of such a model, including governmental bodies, UNESCO, OHCHR and NGOs. 24. The Working Group on Minorities at its eleventh session focused attention on possible models for the peaceful resolution of minority issues based on good governance and the rule of law. Consideration was given to the relationship between minorities and autonomy, self-governance versus self-determination, and the parallel application of measures to ensure the effective participation of persons belonging to minorities in the civil service, the police force and the security forces. It was recognized that specific situations required different responses. Various papers submitted to the Working Group contained specific examples of measures taken to address situations where minorities were concentrated territorially or in making decisions on cultural, linguistic or religious issues. All the documents of the Working Group may be found on the OHCHR website. 25. The Working Group also looked at the relationship between the effective participation of minorities (in public economic and social life and particularly in decision-making affecting them as regards economic progress and development) and plans for reaching the Millennium Development Goals (see in particular E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2005/WP.4). It was emphasized that the establishment of mechanisms to enable minorities to participate in devising, monitoring and evaluating strategies to achieve the Goals were urgently needed. Action was also called for to raise awareness of the disparities faced by minorities in reaching the Goals and ensuring the collection of disaggregated data to measure their progress towards the Goals. In this connection, mention was made of a specific ethnic minority-focused strategy for reaching the Goals prepared by the Government of Viet Nam, entitled “Localizing MDGs for Poverty Reduction in Viet Nam: Promoting Ethnic Minority Development” (2002). VI. Conclusions 26. There is growing recognition that the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities are integral to strengthening the political and social stability of States and to development within a democratic framework based on the rule of law. It is therefore essential that programmes and projects implemented by the United Nations at the country level include minority-related issues. United Nations country teams should pay particular attention to this need. 27. Mainstreaming the rights of persons belonging to minorities in the work of the United Nations on peace and security and development can significantly enrich that work and enhance its impact. The Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities should guide this process. 28. It is vital to involve persons belonging to minorities in the work of the Organization at the international and national levels. OHCHR and other United Nations agencies and programmes should continue to develop training tools and information materials to that end; facilitate the participation of minority members in seminars, workshops and training sessions; and assist in building the relevant capacities of Governments and civil society. The proposed voluntary fund for minority activities may be an important instrument in that regard. 10 05-48136

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