A/HRC/13/23 without discrimination within the Americas, focusing on Colombia, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. 22. The independent expert contributed an article to The State of the World’s Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2009: Education Special, produced by Minority Rights Group International in association with UNICEF. The publication presented the recommendations of the Forum and provided case studies, thematic essays on the problems faced by minorities with respect to education and an analysis of those issues region-wide. In the report, it is highlighted that, globally, 101 million children are out of school: between 50 and 70 per cent are from minorities or indigenous peoples. The publication is widely circulated to all regions and stakeholders including Governments and decision makers, NGOs and a targeted audience in the field of minority rights and education. It has also been provided to all UNICEF regional and country offices. 23. The independent expert led an electronic global discussion organized by UNICEF to highlight the issues in the special education edition of the State of the World’s Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2009 and the Forum on Minority Issues, with a view to highlighting the issues around minority girls’ right to education. Specifically, the ediscussion examined the multiple barriers faced by minority girls in accessing education, evaluated the legal and policy responses to the above question, discussed good practices from the regional and country level and developed recommendations in line with the educational needs and priorities of minority and indigenous girls. B. Second session of the Forum on Minority Issues 24. The second session of the Forum on Minority Issues was held in Geneva on 12 and 13 November 2009 on the thematic subject of “Minorities and Effective Political Participation.” The Forum’s recommendations will be presented to the Human Rights Council at its current session (A/HRC/13/25). The Forum was honoured to have as Chairperson United States Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chairperson of the Congressional Black Caucus. 25. The Forum achieved exceptional participation, which included Member States, United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, academics and experts on minority issues, and NGOs. Over 500 individuals were accredited to participate, including delegates from over 45 States. Over 100 NGOs were represented. The views of participants from minority communities were given a high priority and minority political actors from all regions attended. 26. Human Rights Council resolution 6/15 invites the independent expert to include in her annual report recommendations for thematic subjects to be examined at future sessions of the Forum on Minority Issues. To date, the independent expert has received the following suggestions: minorities and poverty; access to justice; minorities and the media; and the situation of minority children. IV. Minorities and effective political participation: a survey of law and national practices 27. The following sections of this report summarize the relevant basic international legal principles, the preconditions for ensuring effective political participation by minorities, and 8 GE.10-10198