ACFC/56DOC(2016)001 74. The Advisory Committee has repeatedly expressed its view that both opportunities to learn a minority language and adequate opportunities to learn the official languages are applicable to all persons belonging to national minorities and must be available in parallel.104 It has generally pointed to the substantial research that suggests noticeable benefits of first language learning for the learning of other languages, including official languages, and has expressed its general preference for bilingual and multilingual approaches in education that are equipped to accommodate more than one language in integrated classrooms. While consistently acknowledging the importance of language for the integration of a diverse society, the Advisory Committee has reiterated its standpoint that pressure and conditionality are generally inappropriate tools for the promotion of integration, and that the relevant strategies meant to promote skills in the official language must not rely disproportionately on efforts to be made by persons belonging to national minorities.105 7. Participation – Article 15 75. Undue exclusions from the right to effective participation in public life can result in significant obstacles to the enjoyment of a variety of minority rights.106 Public life in this context does not only extend to public affairs and decision making but is equally important with respect to economic and social life.107 The Advisory Committee has therefore consistently underlined the importance of an inclusive approach to the application of Article 15, as effective participation is often a precondition to gaining access to the rights contained in the Framework Convention. Consultation mechanisms and advisory bodies on issues pertaining to minority rights protection that are intended to enhance, for instance, discussion and dialogue among different groups in society, should be open to all, including groups that are not recognised as national minorities but might have expressed an interest in the protection of the Framework Convention. 76. The availability of effective platforms for the discussion of relevant concerns with such groups may not only promote trust among minority communities, but it may also serve to facilitate open and flexible solutions to issues that prevent access to rights, and may thereby promote societal cohesion and stability. In its discussions of Article 15 of the Framework Convention, the Advisory Committee has also further applied a broad scope of application with respect to the comprehensiveness of the matters on which representatives of national minorities should be consulted. These should not be limited to questions related to the preservation of national minority cultures or the allocation of funding, but should include all issues of broader concern to society, including national minority communities.108 77. Due to the centrality of effective participation of national minorities in public life, particular attention must be paid to ensure that the views and concerns within the various 104. Different modules may be applied depending on the size of the group wishing to learn the minority language. 105. See, for instance, Second Opinion on Latvia and Fourth Opinion on Liechtenstein. 106. For a comprehensive analysis and discussion of the Advisory Committee's findings on the effective participation of persons belonging to national minorities in cultural, social and economic life and in public affairs, as contained in Article 15, reference is made to its Second Thematic Commentary (footnote 3). 107. The term ‘economic and social life’ covers a wide range of issues, from access to adequate housing, health care and social protection (social insurance and social benefits), to social welfare services and access to the public and private labour market, as well as access to business and other self-employment opportunities, which are closely linked to property rights and privatisation processes. See Second Thematic Commentary (footnote 3), paragraphs 23ff. 108. See Third Opinion on Estonia and on “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. 29