and the report to the Human Rights Council in 2021 on “Hate speech, social media and minorities” (A/HRC/46/57). B. General Objectives 10. The UN Forum on Minority Issues provides a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as well as thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues. 11. The 17th UN Forum on Minority Issues aims: - - - - to initiate a dialogue on minority representations in public spaces and discourses to provide opportunities for minorities to express how and under what modalities they want to be portrayed and represented; to identify and analyze opportunities, best practices, and initiatives that focus on the misrepresentation and lack of representation of minorities in public spaces and discourses, in order to strengthen the recognition of minorities as valuable and constitutive parts societies and to promote positive change in this regard; to contribute to efforts to integrate and mainstream minority issues into the institutions, mechanisms and initiatives of the United Nations system at the global, regional and domestic levels, including through coordination among United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes; to produce thematic recommendations to be reported to the Human Rights Council by the Special Rapporteur on minority issues. 12. The Forum examines state practices through legislation, policies and programs, alongside civil society initiatives. It shall emphasize the prominent contributions of other key stakeholders, including international and regional organizations and various forms of cooperation, in achieving the above-mentioned goals. Particular focus will be placed on the empowerment of minorities to individual and collective expression which reflects positively and accurately on the important role played by minority peoples and groups in enriching our diverse societies. C. Participants 13. The UN Forum shall be open to the participation of States, United Nations mechanisms, treaty bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes, intergovernmental organizations, international and regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies and other stakeholders, including internet companies and social media platforms, civil society representatives, academics and experts on minority issues, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. The Forum shall also be open to other NGOs and organizations representing minorities whose aims and purposes are in conformity with the spirit, purposes, and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. 3