Permanent Mission of Brazil in Geneva 71, avenue Louis Casaï - Case Postale 165 1216 Cointrin Geneva - Switzerland Human Rights Council Forum on Minorities Geneva, December 16th, 2008 INTERVENTION BY BRAZIL “Ms President, Distinguished experts and delegates, May I congratulate you for the open and constructive way you are conducting the works of this inaugural session of the Forum on Minority Issues. As a member of the Human Rights Council, Brazil supported the establishment of the Forum and hopes that it will fruitfully contribute to promote dialogue and further cooperation on the rights of minorities. Brazil is also particularly pleased to participate in the debate today on minorities and the rights to education We are convinced that the enjoyment of the right to education by all is a condition to the achievement of sustainable and durable development. Bearing in mind the paramount importance of education as a tool to overcome deep rooted challenges in the area of social and economic development, the Brazilian