A/51/536 English Page 17 can, inter alia, act as a facilitator, with preventive functions as the common element. The programme is thus composed of the three following major activities: promotion and implementation of the principles of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, and rights contained in other relevant international instruments; cooperation and coordination with other bodies and organs of the United Nations, including with the international human rights community, and the programme of technical assistance and advisory services; and, dialogue with Governments and all other parties concerned with minority issues. The activities which the High Commissioner has undertaken in the field of minority protection have focused on the implementation of the above-mentioned programme. 59. The High Commissioner has given his full support to the activities of the Subcommission Working Group on Minorities and the implementation of its recommendations. In his introductory statement to the Working Group at its second session, the High Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the international community in the field of minority protection and recalled the resolutions of the various legislative bodies of the United Nations relating to the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities. He expressed his willingness to facilitate the coordination among the various organs and bodies of the United Nations to strengthen the protection of minorities. His office was in the process of establishing a programme of international activities regarding minorities focusing on the relevant international standards, education campaigns, and the establishment of commissions for the improvement of community relations as a possible conflict resolution mechanism. The preventive activities of his Office were highlighted, as well as the provision of expert advice concerning capacity-building at the national and local levels. 60. The High Commissioner has continued to develop cooperation with international organizations, including regional ones, aimed at the promotion and protection of rights of persons belonging to minorities and resolution of problems related thereto. He strongly believes that the coordination of efforts should enable these organs and bodies to work as an integrated human rights system. 61. In his endeavour to facilitate inter-agency cooperation and catalyse the efforts of all relevant United Nations agencies and programmes in this area, the High Commissioner organized an inter-agency meeting on minorities on 21 August 1996 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. The aim of the consultation was to exchange information on minority-related activities, share ideas and experiences, and discuss future collaboration in the field of minority protection. 62. The representatives of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) (UNCHS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), ILO, UNESCO, the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provided information about their activities related to the promotion and protection of persons belonging to minorities. With reference to future collaboration, it was /...