A/HRC/55/44/Add.1 more discussion among different public bodies on such matters needs to be encouraged. International human rights standards on non-discrimination and participation, including cultural participation and the effective participation of minorities, should guide any relevant new legislation and be considered in all public policies. This would increase the visibility and understanding of these rights, help raise awareness for the standards and obligations and ensure that all relevant public institutions and bodies play their role in meeting the country’s existing obligations. 90. The Special Rapporteur admires the vibrancy and engagement of German civil society and of the cultural sector towards cultural diversity, as well as the numerous associated excellent practices, and welcomes the commitments and legislation recently adopted to better respect and protect that diversity. 91. In addressing the challenges of multicultural realities, German authorities should, however, make better use of the international human rights standards and guidance on cultural rights, and ensure that they are better disseminated, known and implemented at all levels of the country’s federal system. The voluntary, ad hoc and temporary initiatives for implementing cultural rights remain fragile for as long as they are not structurally anchored in long-term strategies and policies. B. Recommendations 92. To improve the understanding and full realization of cultural rights, the Government should: (a) Incorporate all international human rights instruments, including the Optional Protocol to the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, into its legal system in ways that ensure their direct application before German courts, in order to afford all individuals its full protection; (b) Disseminate and enable discussion of the provisions of international human rights law relating to cultural rights and of the present report, at the national, state and local levels, in particular among parliamentarians, public officials and judicial authorities, in order to improve awareness of the cultural rights standards and obligations contracted by Germany and their full implementation at all levels; (c) Include explicit references to cultural rights in the federal, state or local laws, programmes and regulations, and in particular, in the Participation Act; (d) Raise awareness, through campaigns in educational institutions, the public arena and the media, of the definition of cultural rights, including the right for all to take part in cultural life, to express one’s own identity, values and way of life without fear of discrimination, and to access and enjoy the arts, science and sports; (e) Establish minimum standards and guidelines for reducing disparities and ensuring that all people, regardless of their place of residence, can fully enjoy and exercise their cultural rights, and closely monitor the implementation of those rights at all levels; (f) Include international human rights instruments in the curricula of universities and legal studies; (g) Conduct regular and mandatory training on intercultural competencies across all ministries and local authorities, as well as for education professionals and members of the police force, and ensure that the training includes the standards and norms of both human rights and cultural rights. 93. In addressing discrimination, the authorities should: (a) Take specific and special measures at all levels, and with the meaningful participation of groups and communities involved, for reducing discrimination, including indirect, structural and intersectional measures, and address the widespread and continuing stereotyping and marginalization of specific sections of the population; 18 GE.24-01816