work towards common goals of equality and non-discrimination. A national process of implementing minority rights should be framed as a transformative opportunity to help strengthen understanding between communities, establish trust, identify root causes of problems as well as sustainable solutions, and build much needed bridges of inter-ethnic and inter-faith dialogue and cooperation. We in the international community have an important role to play. That role is about supporting you in your national efforts, assisting and providing technical cooperation, and offering you the tools and resources that we have developed to help your work. I am pleased to say that in 2012, we have two strong and complementary mechanisms for promoting minority rights within the UN system – the Independent Expert on minority issues and this Forum. Together, they address head on some of the most difficult and enduring problems facing minorities today. As the Secretary-General has informed us, this year we add to these mechanisms a new Network on Racial Discrimination and the Protection of Minorities. Coordinated by OHCHR, the Network will enhance dialogue and cooperation between relevant UN bodies and provide much needed expertise and guidance to help implement the Declaration. During this year, my Office has undertaken numerous activities to raise awareness of the Declaration, including a series of sub-regional events on themes ranging from the rights of religious minorities to representation of minorities in law enforcement. You will be briefed on those activities during this session. I am proud of my office’s role in contributing to the empowerment of minorities, including through our Fellowship Programme, which brings minority rights advocates to Geneva to gain experience at OHCHR and contribute to its work. I welcome some of those Fellows today who will share their experiences with you. Let me conclude by thanking you all once again for you presence in this Forum. The work that you do over the next two days will help to promote implementation of the Declaration, and will also contribute ideas and possibilities to enhance implementation of all human rights standards. I wish you a successful session. Thank you.