Mother tongue-based MLE – if properly supported – creates more economic opportunities for graduates from minority communities.3 Without a doubt, these Recommendations update the HCNM's approaches with regard to social and economic inclusion, conflict prevention and national minorities, including women4 and youth. In the OSCE participating States, ensuring equal economic opportunities for minorities is vital for sustained peace and stability, as evidenced by historical and current unrest in many countries around the world. Efforts to reverse the economic exclusion of minorities require long-term strategies tailored to the particular social context. There are no quick fixes and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. This set of Recommendations advocates for increased engagement by the OSCE participating States on this issue, aiming to increase the economic inclusion of minorities as a route to strengthen regional cohesion and stability, using insights from successful practices developed in the countries of the OSCE, United Nations and European Union. In brief, national minorities matter not only as beneficiaries of economic growth but also as creators of prosperity. By making use of the intellectual capital and economic potential that persons belonging to national minorities have to offer, States and regions can develop in ways that would not be possible if their skills remain untapped. They can also act as bridge builders between communities and, more broadly, by contributing to inter-State trade and economic integration. Therefore, when national and regional authorities consider strategies for regional social and economic development, they should include national minorities residing in the region in the design and implementation of such development initiatives as much as possible. Communities, regions and countries have everything to gain from the greater involvement of national minorities in social and economic life. If minorities remain 3 4 See: OHCHR, Recommendations of the Forum on Minority Issues at its fifteenth session “review, rethink, reform: 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities”, Report of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues, A/HRC/52/71 (Geneva 2023) (OHCHR, FMI, fifteenth session). “[…] women’s special role in development must be recognized: Economic empowerment of women and girls is a form of participation and a step towards equality of opportunities. More economically developed, free and just societies, with sufficient job opportunities for all, including those belonging to national minorities, will make citizens feel safer and more secure at home, rather than seeking their fortune abroad.” Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly (PA), Report for the General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, Rapporteur G. Kugler, Birmingham, p.5, AS(22)RP2E (2–6 July 2022). For practical recommendations, see: OHCHR, Recommendations of the fourth session of the Forum on Minority Issues on “guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls”, A/HRC/19/71 (Geneva 2012) (OHCHR, FMI, fourth session). Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life 5