A/67/293 require States to implement positive measures and approaches, as articulated in the Declaration, to ensure equality. 83. Positive change in the situations of disadvantaged minorities can be provided by appropriate institutional attention to minority rights and a policy and programme framework within which to address minority issues. Legislative protection of minority rights in national law is an essential foundation; and the logical next step, from legislation to concrete action for the protection and promotion of minority rights, is provided by institutional attention. 84. Institutional attention to minority issues is essential to changing the exclusionary practices and discriminatory perceptions about minority groups in wider society that may be institutionalized. Activities should therefore be focused not solely on minorities, but rather on all sectors of society. Coordinated institutional approaches should engage minorities, majority communities, and civil society as key stakeholders. Institutional measures should serve to mainstream minority issues within all relevant institutions and promote diversity and equality in all areas of public life. 85. When they have easy access to institutions providing channels of complaint and remedy, including in their own languages, minorities are more likely to engage such bodies, and bring complaints of discrimination, which too often go unreported and unchallenged. Institutional attention to minority issues conveys a positive message to minorities, namely, that government recognizes their issues and concerns, and is committed to finding solutions to challenges involving minorities; and it also helps to instil confidence within communities. This may be particularly important in times of political and social upheaval, or administrative or regime change, or following conflict involving or impacting upon minorities. 86. The full and effective participation of minorities is fundamental to the realization of minority rights and a key objective of national institutional attention to minorities. Effective attention can be achieved only with the participation of minorities, both as staff and as partners in the work of institutions addressing minority issues. It should always be remembered that minorities are members of society and should have their full say on issues involving all aspects of society, and not only on those issues of particular minority concern. In cases where they do not have that say, institutional attention to minority rights and minority issues is a means of enhancing their participation in all aspects of the economic, social and political life and development of their countries. 87. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions and the most appropriate approaches to minority protection depend on national circumstances, and the situations of minority groups, as well as cultural, geographical, historical, political and socioeconomic factors. Whatever approach is taken, the principles of recognition of minorities, and of consultation with and effective participation of minorities should be fully complied with. 12-45950 25