ACFC/31DOC(2008)001 PART III 1) KEY FINDINGS ON PARTICIPATION OF PERSONS BELONGING TO NATIONAL MINORITIES IN CULTURAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE AND IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS PARTICIPATION IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL LIFE 23. The Advisory Committee has frequently pointed out that effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities cannot be restricted only to their participation in public affairs, and that effective participation in economic and social life is of equal importance to their participation in public affairs, in conformity with the principles of the European Social Charter and the Revised European Social Charter. 24. Participation in social and economic life covers a wide range of issues, from access to adequate housing, health care, social protection (social insurance and social benefits), to social welfare services and access to work. Participation of persons belonging to national minorities in economic life implies both access to the labour market, public and private, and access to business and other self-employment opportunities. These are, in turn, closely linked to property rights and privatisation processes. 25. It is also important to recall that persons belonging to different minority groups face different obstacles to their participation in socio-economic life. Persons belonging to some groups, such as the Roma and Travellers or indigenous peoples, are more at risk of suffering forms of exclusion from socio-economic life than persons belonging to other national minorities or the majority population. These groups may require specific measures to address their needs. 26. Effective participation in social and economic life requires, inter alia, that State Parties remove barriers which prevent persons belonging to national minorities from having equal access to various spheres of economic life and social services and to promote their equal access to employment and market opportunities and to a range of public services, including social housing and health care. 27. Moreover, equal opportunities should not be limited to giving equal access to markets and services. Effective participation also requires that State Parties promote participation of persons belonging to national minorities in economic and social life and in benefits and outcomes in the social and economic spheres, which includes, among others, the right to benefit from economic development, health services, social security and other forms of benefits. 28. Therefore, the Advisory Committee findings which are presented below are the result of a combined analysis of findings in respect of Article 15 (effective participation) and Article 4 (equal treatment). 14