Shared public institutions, a sense of belonging and mutual accommodation 8. Integration is a process that requires that all members of a given society accept common public institutions and have a shared sense of belonging to a common State and an inclusive society. This does not exclude the possibility of distinct identities, which are constantly evolving, multiple and contextual. Mechanisms aiming at mutual accommodation are essential to negotiate the legitimate claims put forward by different groups or communities. Integration as a two-way process can only happen if everyone accepts as legitimate the existence and the role of shared institutions as well as a minimum degree of belonging to a common pluralistic and diverse State and society. Maximalist approaches, such as rejecting the legitimacy of the State, boycotting the institutions, denying the multi-national or multi-ethnic character of the State and society or maintaining assimilationist attitudes run counter to integration. This principle acknowledges that in diverse societies based on the rule of law and political and institutional pluralism there is no contradiction between having distinct identities and sharing a common belonging, which includes but goes beyond shared institutions. The consequence for the State is that it needs to provide policies, legislation and mechanisms that enable and support the expression and negotiation of diversity within a shared institutional and legislative framework. For integration to take place, individuals and groups have to accept such instruments and contribute to their functioning. In the context of this principle, “claims” means more than simply rights and comprises any legitimate interests or reasonable demands expressed by different groups or persons. It also entails acknowledging the consequences of such claims, both for those affected and for society as a whole. For example, legitimate requests for specific implementation of rights or special measures are to be read within the local context; any potential impacts they may have on different segments of society and, ultimately, on its overall cohesion must be taken into account. Accommodating religious diversity also falls within this category. This entails tolerance at both the individual level, between people and groups within society, as well as at the State level, by establishing common rules of society based on full respect for human 18 Guidelines on Integration of Diverse Societies