A/50/514 English Page 12 culture open to understanding the richness that exists in a multicultural and multi-ethnic society. The protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities, based on mutual tolerance and acceptance, promises to open new perspectives free of the disasters common to many regions of the world. The Centre for Human Rights, in close cooperation with other bodies and organs of the United Nations, is available for developing activities aimed at facilitating the full participation of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities in all aspects of the political, economic, social, religious and cultural life of their societies and in the economic progress and development of their countries. 40. The High Commissioner also takes action with regard to minorities in the broader context of the rise of xenophobia and new forms of racial and ethnic discrimination and of reported attacks on migrant workers, immigrants, asylumseekers and refugees. He has received assurances that the authorities concerned are determined to take the necessary measures to deal with such manifestations. In that context, the European Union’s declaration on the subject adopted at the Corfu Summit in June 1994 is to be welcomed. IV. SPECIALIZED AGENCIES United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 41. One of UNESCO’s mandates is to contribute to the struggle against discrimination in all its fields of competence including discrimination against persons belonging to minorities. A number of UNESCO’s standard-setting instruments concerning cultural rights cover this subject fairly comprehensively and embrace individuals, regions, groups, peoples, nation-States and even humankind in general. Recognizing that States should first of all create conditions and provide guarantees for the implementation of cultural rights, not only to eliminate discrimination but also to undertake affirmative action, UNESCO’s standard-setting instruments stress that this responsibility should be shared with other social actors. 42. Of particular importance in this respect is the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education (1960) which provides for protection of the educational rights of minorities and individuals. Similarly, the UNESCO Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice (1978) contains provisions for promoting non-discriminatory practices. These instruments, as well as the Recommendation Concerning Education for International Understanding, Cooperation and Peace and Education relating to Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (1974) are monitored by way of periodic collection of information as regards their implementation in the member States. 43. It is also pertinent to mention that in decision 3.3 taken at its 104th session (September-October 1977), the Executive Board of UNESCO laid down the procedures for the examination of cases and questions submitted to UNESCO concerning the violation of human rights in its fields of competence. 44. UNESCO continues to implement activities relating to the protection of the cultural rights of persons belonging to minorities, following decision 4.41 /...