A/58/255 representatives and experts have participated in these meetings and made valuable contribution to strengthening the cooperation between those organizations and the United Nations. 3. The third workshop on multiculturalism in Africa, on the theme “Peaceful and constructive group accommodation in situations involving minorities and indigenous peoples”, was held in Gaborone in February 2002. Participants called upon the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to look into the problems of the displacement of minorities and indigenous peoples in the countries affected by conflicts and for the continuation of cooperation between the African Commission and the United Nations human rights bodies. It was also underlined that traditional methods had been maintained by indigenous and minority communities in Africa that could contribute to the peaceful resolution of differences. The full report of the workshop is contained in document E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.4/2002/4. 4. A regional seminar on Afro-descendants was held in La Ceiba in March 2002. Representatives of the Inter-American Institute for Human Rights and regional nongovernmental organizations participated in the meeting. The need to address the root causes of conflict, such as the inequality in power, social exclusion and marginalization of the disadvantaged Afro-descendant communities, was emphasized. To address discrimination and inequality, the implementation of affirmative action was recommended with a view to guaranteeing equitable access to education, employment, housing and health. Participants expressed their specific concerns regarding the current conflict in Colombia, which affects Afro-descendant and indigenous communities; they requested that international and national organizations working to resolve the crisis pay particular attention to this concern. The full report of the seminar is contained in document E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.4/2002/5. 5. The Office of the High Commissioner organized the first ever subregional seminar on minority rights, on the theme “Cultural diversity and development in Southeast Asia”, in Chiang Mai in December 2002. Representatives of national institutions, organizations and communities, as well as Governments of the region, participated in the seminar. The seminar contributed to raising the awareness of minority rights in the region and to understanding the regional specific concerns of minorities, such as the displacement of populations, access to citizenship and the effective participation of minorities in decision-making on matters affecting them. The conclusions and recommendations and the narrative report of the seminar are contained in documents E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2003/2 and E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2003/WP.14. 6. During these seminars, participants repeatedly called for greater efforts on the part of the international community to address minority concerns and grievances as frequent causes of conflict; to meet the challenges of ensuring early responses to conflict relating to minorities; and to be involved in the prevention of conflict through the promotion of dialogue between minorities and Governments and through mediation and conciliation. Inequality and imbalances in power were recognized as root causes of conflicts, while the promotion and protection of minority rights were emphasized as measures to assist in reducing tension and preventing conflict. Participants also made reference to the importance of respecting community traditions and the role of community leaders in resolving differences within and between communities. At the Chiang Mai seminar, participants specifically recommended that the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) encourage its member States to recognize that the protection and 4