A/HRC/4/19/Add.3 page 13 28. Regarding the reinforcement of relations among nationalities and ethnic groups, State officials noted the work of the approximately 300 “cultural autonomous entities” - voluntary associations of citizens defined by their ethnic, national or religious affiliation - in preserving, developing and disseminating different languages, traditions and customs. Inter-ethnic associations and councils, known in some regions as “Houses of friendship between peoples” such as those visited by the Special Rapporteur in Moscow and St. Petersburg - allow representatives of ethnic groups to share their views on the issue of inter-ethnic relations. 29. The Special Rapporteur was informed by the Ministry of Regional Development of the establishment in 2005 of an Interdepartmental Commission on the Amendment of the Outline of State nationalities policy - one of the main instruments governing relations between nationalities - which includes an expert body to identify cases of advocacy of xenophobia, national and religious intolerance and extremism. In addition, a Commission on Issues of Tolerance and Freedom of Conscience has been created, the tasks of which include monitoring inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations; devising ways to ensure inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony; and drawing up recommendations on these issues for the attention of legislative bodies, law enforcement agencies, regional and local authorities, voluntary organizations, the mass media, business associations and educational organizations. 30. Concerning the promotion of tolerance and interfaith dialogue, State officials indicated that the Ministry of Education and Science is working with voluntary organizations and religious associations - including representatives of the scientific community, the Russian Orthodox Church, leaders of the Islamic clergy and other religions - to implement a series of measures advocating the prevention of xenophobia and intolerance based on nationality and religion. The Ministry is currently working on a joint project with the Council of Europe aimed at promoting intercultural and inter-confessional dialogue through education and teaching of history. 31. The Special Rapporteur was also informed of the 2001-2005 Federal Programme on Tolerance and Prevention of Extremism in Russian society, which includes the following measures: the promotion of activities through mass media and public life forging the principle of tolerance and countering social aggression and extremism; the integration of subprogrammes aimed at promoting tolerance and tackling extremism in the educational programmes for teachers, social and law enforcement personnel and mass media professionals; and the promotion of a new trend in publishing aimed at cultivating tolerance and countering extremism. Currently, a Federal programme on ethnocultural development of the Russian regions (2006-2008) is being developed with a view to creating conditions for the development of all Russian peoples in a climate of mutual understanding and the setting of a regular monitoring mechanism in the field of relations between nationalities. 32. At local level, the Moscow authorities referred to the main initiatives carried out to prevent all manifestations of discrimination, including the creation of a council to advise the Moscow City government on relations among nationalities, and the implementation of the programme “Moscow, city of many nationalities: building civic responsibility and a culture of peace and harmony (2005-2007)”, as a follow-up to the programme “Moscow on the path to a culture of peace: building the values of tolerance, preventing extremism, developing a culture of peace (2002-2004)”.