E/2004/43 E/C.19/2004/23 girls, Governments should adopt special measures (UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education). 17. The Forum recognizes that: (a) Education can be an effective means to protect the cultural traditions of indigenous peoples; (b) Education is a basic human right for indigenous peoples; (c) Education is a prerequisite for the realization of other human rights; (d) of life; Education is an effective means leading to equality, freedom and quality (e) Education, when it is culturally appropriate, promotes mother tongue learning and includes indigenous knowledge in the curriculum, can help defend against the negative impacts of cultural globalization; (f) Education is a crucial right for indigenous women and girls; (g) Education principles must ensure non-discrimination (on the basis of race, ethnicity, culture, sex, age, disability or religion); (h) The mother tongue is the foundation for all learning; (i) Education should include sport and physical activities and physical education. 18. The Forum makes the recommendations set out below to United Nations Member States, the United Nations system and indigenous peoples organizations. Recommendations to member States 19. Member States should consider the adoption and full implementation of comprehensive national indigenous education policies based on the following goals: Participation (a) Establishing effective arrangements for the participation of indigenous parents and community members in decisions regarding the planning, delivery and evaluation of education services for their children, young people and other community members; (b) Increasing the number of indigenous people employed as educational administrators, teachers, coaches, officials, curriculum advisers, teacher’s assistants, home-school liaison officers and other education workers, including community members engaged in teaching indigenous culture, history and contemporary society, and indigenous languages; (c) Developing arrangements for the provision of independent advice from indigenous communities regarding educational decisions at all levels; (d) Achieving the participation of indigenous children, young people and adults in education for a period similar to that of other students; 8