Using media to promote social inclusion in Albania: UNDP Albania’s Public Information Office has created a project that works to improve the awareness and attitude of the general public about disadvantaged minority groups by supporting several activities that promote a sense of multiculturalism within the country. The media provides a platform for minorities to share their culture and express their rights and values while creating a common understanding with the rest of the population. It also helps to overcome stereotypes and discriminatory practices. Activities to be implemented include celebrations for International Roma Day, International Volunteer Day, the annual human rights film festival or other events that can sensitize the majority population. In addition, each issue that is covered by the project (such as registration, child protection, health, and vocational training) has an advocacy activity associated with it. Source: UNDP Albania. 4.4 CRISIS PREVENTION AND RECOVERY Attention to minority issues is crucial for longterm sustainability of peace and development. This is because minority identities can be used as fault lines of conflict and because minority inclusion helps create stability. Historical patterns of exclusion of minorities that cause conflict may re-emerge if not adequately addressed. The joint UNDP, World Bank and UNDG Practical Guide to Multilateral Needs Assessments in Post-Conflict Situations (August 2004), identifies conflict factors that have roots in minority rights violations, such as unequal access to land and education, weak political participation and  discrimination: Conflict is also likely to resume where the root causes of the conflict remain unchanged. These may include unequal access to land, education and services, the discrimination of certain religious, ethnic or regional groups, competition over natural resources or resentment caused by bad governance. To sustain the peace process, conflict parties need to be confident early on that their grievances will be addressed. The PCNA [Postconflict Needs Assessment] should identify key grievances that could re-ignite conflict and propose actions that the national authorities and international community can undertake to mitigate them. (p.14) The protection of minority rights is a crucial factor in preventing conflict and in promoting sustainable peace when conflict has occurred. The UN Peacebuilding Commission recommends that to help prevent conflict within and between countries “the United Nations should build on the experience of regional organizations in developing frameworks for minority rights”.29 Linking minority rights with conflict prevention and recovery Violations of minority rights often lead to conflict: The four key pillars of minority rights – protection of existence, non-discrimination, protection of identity and participation – each have a role to play in maintaining stability in countries. When these rights are violated, tensions can emerge UN Peace Building Commission, A More Secure World: Our shared responsibility; Report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change, UN (2004): p. 100 29 Chapter 4: Minorities in Development 55