E/CN.4/2002/24/Add.1 page 56 IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 132. The Special Rapporteur notes that substantial efforts are being made by the Australian Government to end racism and racial discrimination. The programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the Indigenous peoples exist, even if they have not yet succeeded in producing the desired results. Recognition of ethnic diversity and the promotion of inter-ethnic harmony undoubtedly constitute an ideal policy for consolidating the Australian nation, provided it does not waver under the influence of electoral considerations. In addition, the question of reconciliation with the Aboriginal peoples remains outstanding, because it affects the foundations of the Australian State and conflicting cultural values. 133. For the Aboriginals, despite the democratic foundations of the Australian State and its desire to incorporate all its ethnic components on an egalitarian basis, this State is a manifestation of colonization whose consequences remain to this day, notably through the limitation of their land rights, the tragedy of the abducted children, cultural clashes and highly precarious living conditions outside the wealth of the majority of Australians. In their view, the resolution of conflicts is dependent on negotiation on equal terms between Australia’s governors and those who originally possessed the continent, the eminent owners of the Australian lands, of which they have been dispossessed, particular account being taken of their indissoluble links with the land. The land question remains crucial and is the key to the Australian problem. The Commonwealth Government and the dominant political forces mainly take a forward-looking approach which, while envisaging the possibilities of remedying the consequences of past actions, wishes to reduce their effects on the building of a new nation. There is undoubtedly a medium-term character in the positions displayed by the various protagonists, and the Australian people has on many occasion succeeded in finding the catalysts for dialogue in order to restore confidence and ensure peaceful coexistence. 134. Note should be taken of Ms. Mary Kalantzis’ observations that “diversity is now the basis of [Australian] civic life. Australia has its own unique history of diversity: an immigration programme that has made this perhaps the most diverse nation in the world, and the centrality of the task of completing the settlers’ unfinished business with the Indigenous people of this nation. Yet [it] also shares with the rest of the world a shift in global political orientations. Since the end of the cold war particularly, the politics of culture, identity and nation - the politics of diversity, in other words - has taken centre stage. No nation in the world can govern unless it is able to articulate the way in which resources and well-being are guaranteed to different groups, including historically-marginalized groups”.19 135. The following recommendations are therefore prompted by a desire to pave the way for a coming-together of the various protagonists: (1) The policy of multiculturalism should be widely discussed and defined by a broad consensus. In order to reduce if not eliminate the superiority and inferiority complexes which underlie relations between the Aboriginals and the mainly English-speaking heirs of European culture, the policy should be based on recognition of the right to difference and to cultural identity, with broad communication between one culture and another. Inspiration should be