A/HRC/13/40 54. With regard to preventive approaches, the Special Rapporteur would like to emphasize that members of religious minorities need to have their voices heard by being given adequate access to decision makers and State authorities. The executive power, the administration and political leaders should develop human rights-based policies and communication strategies. They should also raise awareness and educate people about religious diversity, thus enabling societies to adopt a progressive attitude towards the beliefs of other communities. Doing so will help to eliminate the cause of irrational fears about some religious groups and prevent those fears being exploited for political purposes. 55. Politicians from different political parties should undertake brainstorming sessions on how to address new challenges in an increasingly globalized world. Such joint brainstorming could eventually lead to practical actions to mainstream diversity and implement inclusive approaches, for example, in housing projects, school curricula and nominations to statutory bodies. The Special Rapporteur has noted that religious minorities in many countries have less opportunity to participate effectively in decision-making, including in political and economic fields. Yet, their effective participation and consultation at all levels of decision-making is crucial to ensuring that their issues of concern are given adequate attention and enabling informed policy decisions. 56. In addition, children from religious minorities seem to suffer disproportionately from unequal access to good-quality education. Consequently, the relevant authorities need to ensure equal opportunities and equal access to education in order to prevent adverse economic and social consequences for new generations. Special temporary measures in this regard may be envisaged to empower members of those religious communities that have suffered on account of historic discriminatory practices. However, the effectiveness of such affirmative action should be measured and its progress monitored. 57. It is of utmost importance that States and educational institutions find more creative strategies for ensuring that freedom of religion or belief is fully extended to all children and providing them with good-quality education that promotes tolerance, mutual understanding and respect. In this regard, teacher-training programmes may help to ensure that teachers have a non-biased attitude to different religious or belief communities. There is also significant scope for voluntary school exchanges with other countries. In this regard, the 2001 International Consultative Conference on School Education in relation to Freedom of Religion or Belief, Tolerance and Nondiscrimination recommended that teachers and students are provided with voluntary opportunities for meetings and exchanges with their counterparts of different religions or beliefs. Members of the local authorities should also visit schools and talk to youth representatives as a way to determine the actual level of tolerance in society. Regarding the recruitment and indoctrination of children for the purposes of militant groups, the Special Rapporteur emphasizes the need to monitor State institutions such as orphanages, prisons or schools. 58. In addition, States should not allow activities which contravene human rights, even if such activities are seemingly based on religious or traditional practices. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur and her predecessor have referred to female genital mutilation as an example of a practice that is harmful to women’s health.36 Since female genital mutilation is often wrongly associated with religion, the Special Rapporteur has welcomed statements which clarify religious views on this harmful 36 GE.09-17648 See E/CN.4/2002/73/Add.2, paras. 104–110. 17