ACFC/31DOC(2008)001 policies, both as a way of promoting equal opportunities and preventing tensions in society. 155. Furthermore, the Advisory Committee has often underlined the importance of the participation of persons belonging to national minorities in decision-making concerning activities to promote a better knowledge of minority cultures in the society at large. This includes the field of education, particularly when deciding on the inclusion of elements concerning national minorities in educational material, the media and the design and implementation of cultural policies. Article 762 156. State Parties are requested to ensure that the right of every person belonging to a national minority to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, as embedded in Article 7 of the Framework Convention, is respected. This includes the right to form minority associations and political parties, which are important forms of participation. State Parties should refrain from any unjustified interference with the exercise of this right, and create conditions allowing minority associations and parties to acquire and enjoy legal personality, and to operate freely. The right to freedom of assembly and association is a prerequisite to the enjoyment of the provisions of Article 15, even though it is not sufficient in itself to ensure effective participation. Article 963 157. Article 9 (1) protects the right of persons belonging to national minorities to freely receive and impart information and ideas in the minority language, and therefore, the possibility for them to participate in public debates and public affairs in general, notably through the media. Moreover, Article 9 (1) requires that State Parties ensure respect for the prohibition of discrimination in minorities’ access to the media. Under Article 9 (4) of the Framework Convention, the authorities are required to adopt appropriate measures to facilitate access to the media of persons belonging to national minorities. 158. The access to and participation in the media of persons belonging to national minorities involves various dimensions: they should have access to the media as part of the audience, as owners of media outlets and as representatives of minorities in the mainstream media. 159. Adequate access to mainstream and minority media by persons belonging to national minorities considerably contributes to their effective participation in society, in particular in cultural life. It facilitates awareness-raising of the society at large about 62 The Parties shall ensure respect for the right of every person belonging to a national minority to freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association, freedom of expression, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion. 63 9(4) In the framework of their legal systems, the Parties shall adopt adequate measures in order to facilitate access to the media for persons belonging to national minorities and in order to promote tolerance and permit cultural pluralism. 39