to adopt a uniform solution of this complex and delicate questions, which has special aspects in each State in which it arise”. He emphasized that this is the whole dialectic challenge of raising minority issues as human rights in that we naturally all support and promote the universality of human rights, as we are all “born free and equal in dignity and rights”. But at the same time, we should all accept to acknowledge the diversity and specificity of the aspirations and claims of persons belonging to minorities. He noted that this dialectic between universality and specificity is the whole challenge of minority issues as human rights. The key to work towards a positive outcome to this apparent tension is to understand that universal does not mean uniform. Prof. Levrat noted that there is room for diversity in universality and according to his knowledge, acquired as a scholar and supported by much scholarly research by colleagues from various scientific fields, pluralism and diversity will not weaken universality; quite on the contrary, they shall make it more robust; stronger; grounded not only in political philosophy, but in the concrete experience and practice of all persons and communities, as human rights are not only concepts and values, but also the product of daily life experiences. The Special Rapporteur emphasized that those who enjoy respect of their human rights – hopefully a majority of human beings – are not necessarily aware of the diversity and complexity of institutions, procedures and decisions that make this possible. Those who do not fully benefit from the enjoyment of all rights, alas very often persons belonging to minorities, are on the contrary highly, and often painfully aware of the deprivation of their rights, whatever the reasons for their dire situation. Prof. Levrat noted that this is why this Forum exists, allowing every voice to be heard, problems to be exposed, shared and explained. The Special Rapporteur stated that he will transmit recommendations from these two days of interactive discussions to the Human Rights Council by particularly insisting on some to be given priority by member States and concluded by saying that human rights is a matter for human beings to be enjoyed and to be implemented and that he will take proper “human time” to process all inputs submitted in the interactive dialogue of the Forum. Assoc. Prof. Elena Lazăr, Co-Chair of the Forum, thanked the panellists and all participants for their exchanges and sharing point of views on minority rights. She thanked everyone’s efforts to make this event successful. She continued by stating that in an evolving global society in which questions of diversity intersect with social and economic considerations, ensuring the effective participation of persons belonging to minorities in social and economic life has become even more pertinent. Assoc. Prof. Lazăr noted that at the international level, there is a discernible gap in addressing several problems encountered by persons belonging to minorities, especially persons in vulnerable situations, in the realization of social and economic rights. She added that many difficult instances have been reported during the Forum and that it was saddening to hear all those testimonies about abuses and discriminatory practices towards persons belonging to minorities. She pointed out though, that there are no quick fixes and there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but very much adapted to the social and political realities in each State. The result should be that solutions are implemented in order to ensure that social and economic rights are exercised to the fullest by persons belonging to minorities, while at the same time not affecting their inclusion into the society where they live, but rather playing in its benefit. She emphasized the importance of increased engagement by States with the aim of enhancing the socio-economic inclusion of persons belonging to minorities using successful practices developed around the world, including at regional level, or within the framework of various international organizations could prove a useful starting point. She also noted that equal access to public goods and services without direct or indirect discrimination should be ensured and is a necessary precondition for the effective social and economic participation of persons belonging to minorities. Assoc. Prof. Lazăr equally stated that attention should also be paid to organise the education systems, including the vocational training, in order to ensure 12