ACFC/44DOC(2012)001 rev may use the official language(s) frequently and often have higher literacy skills in this language. However, this should not prevent them from also identifying themselves as native speakers of the minority language. In order not to reduce minority language speakers to a single language category, including for statistical purposes, questionnaires must allow respondents to indicate more than one language. Optional questions and open lists of alternative answers, with no obligation to affiliate to a set category, are essential to ensure that the results reflect the individual’s choice.22 21. The Advisory Committee encourages authorities to collect data in strict conformity with the principle of self-identification and with the recommendations of the Conference of European Statisticians.23 The Advisory Committee encourages the authorities to take specific initiatives to include among the census enumerators persons belonging to minorities, and persons speaking relevant minority languages. In addition, questionnaires and other data collection tools should be translated into minority languages, and minority representatives should be consulted in the preparatory phases concerning the methods used during data collection, including questions relating to a person’s ethnic or linguistic affiliation. These principles apply to all forms of data collection, such as those related to the provision of public services, social surveys, as well as other relevant research related to national minorities, including in the private sphere. 2. PROMOTING THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF MINORITY IDENTITY, INCLUDING LANGUAGE 22. The Advisory Committee considers that the authorities should, in close co-operation with national minority representatives, develop balanced and coherent strategies to promote the conditions necessary for persons belonging to national minorities to maintain and develop their culture, and to preserve the essential elements of their identity, including language. The particular link between language and the preservation of culture is underlined by the Advisory Committee in a variety of country-specific Opinions, particularly when concerning numerically small minorities and indigenous peoples whose traditions and cultures are preserved, among others, through the continued use of their languages.24 The rights of persons belonging to national minorities to use their languages should therefore be clearly defined and adequately protected by legislation, and its implementation monitored regularly.25 23. The authorities should continue to support projects for the preservation and development of minority cultures and languages, in consultation with representatives of national minorities, and to allocate support in accordance with the needs of the various groups, in line with fair and transparent allocation procedures.26 In addition, the concerns of persons belonging to national minorities regarding their right to the preservation and development of their specific identity and culture must be listened to and effectively taken into account when funding allocation decisions are made.27 Programmes and projects related to the cultural activities of national minorities should, wherever possible, be managed with the involvement of minority representatives, and justification should be provided whenever the recommendations from minority associations or consultative bodies are not followed. 22 See, for instance, Third Opinion on Finland where the (single) language affiliation indicated in the population registry also determined the language of available daycare. 23 UN Economic Commission for Europe, Conference of European Statisticians Recommendations for the 2010 Census of Population and Housing. Prepared in co-operation with the Statistical Office of the European Communities (EUROSTAT). UN economic commission for Europe, Geneva (2006): §430-436 on language. 24 See, for instance, Third Opinion on the Russian Federation. 25 Third Opinion on the United Kingdom; Second Opinion on Switzerland. 26 Third Opinion on Armenia; Third Opinion on Cyprus. 27 See also ACFC Second Commentary on Effective Participation. 8