10. Mechanisms should be established to ensure that the interests and needs of persons belonging to national minorities are taken into consideration by relevant ministries and inter-ministerial bodies, including institutions responsible for data collection, when decisions are taken that directly or indirectly affect national minorities. The representation of persons belonging to national minorities in all relevant structures of public administration and decision‑making bodies is both essential to the realization of their right to participate in public life and contributes to the integration of society.77 The Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities has emphasized the importance of involving national minorities in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies impacting their and their region’s economic situation.78 In this respect, important mechanisms through which the interests of these groups are considered may include appointments of persons belonging to national minorities to positions within relevant ministries and inter-ministerial bodies, efforts to recruit persons belonging to national minorities to the civil service or the creation of dedicated departments, units or other structures focused on issues relating to the social and economic participation of minorities at central and local government levels, as applicable. Ministries and inter-ministerial bodies should also engage in regular consultations with national minorities on matters related to social and economic participation. Adequate representation of national minorities in central decision-making bodies should reflect the composition of the entire society, including from a gender perspective. Special consideration should be given to the representation of those national minorities that are severely affected by social and economic inequalities, while numerically small groups should also have opportunities to participate. The representation of national minorities on the boards and staff of national data collection institutes enhances knowledge and understanding of the specific social and economic issues facing minorities and may contribute to increasing minority communities’ trust in the data collection process. 77 78 Lund Recommendations, Recommendation 6; and Ljubljana Guidelines, Guideline 39. FCNM AC, Commentary on Participation, paragraph 45. Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life 33