E/CN.4/2004/18/Add.1 page 18 (b) an intellectual and ethical strategy targeting the fundamental cultural, ethical and mental roots of the culture and mindset of discrimination, through the promotion of a cultural pluralism that is based on the contrasting notions of unity and diversity, i.e., one that, while respecting characteristic identities, cultures and spiritual traditions, also strives for unity by promoting interaction and cross-fertilization between the various communities; • Linking the fight against racism and racial discrimination closely to the long-term construction of a multicultural, egalitarian and democratic society. The gradual eradication of ethnic polarization, through the work of the various commissions established as part of the 2001 constitutional reform, and the launch of a national anti-racism programme based on the Durban Programme of Action, are essential first steps towards the ultimate elimination of the expressions, manifestations and consequences of racism and discrimination in the social, economic and security spheres. But it is the rebuilding of a democratic, egalitarian and interactive multicultural order that should be the ultimate goal of societies such as Guyana’s, with a multi-ethnic heritage rent by the slave and colonial system and exploited by political powers on the basis of racist and ethnocentric ideology; • If the fight against racism is not itself to create in Guyana a multicultural order where communities simply live side by side - on an equal footing, to be sure, and without formal discrimination, but still trapped in their ghetto mentalities, meeting but not really getting to know one another - it is necessary, indeed vital, at the same time to promote forms of living together that will encourage and prize interaction and cross-fertilization between those communities. In other words, to build up a truly interactive, dynamic and united multicultural order, efforts to combat racism must go hand-in-hand with the promotion both of interaction between the communities and of intercultural dialogue aimed at enhancing mutual understanding; • Bold measures must therefore be taken as a matter of urgency, aimed not only at deepening the understanding of each community’s history, culture and spirituality, but, at the same time, at turning the spotlight on interaction, that is to say collective, united progress through history towards a plural Guyanese identity. One essential step should be a thorough revision of the key vectors of national identity, namely education - in particular accounts of the history of Guyana - and communication - and especially the content and functions of the media. A constitutional commission on intercultural dialogue with those terms of reference is particularly to be recommended. Intercultural dialogue should encompass interreligious dialogue, since ethnic polarization creates and fosters hermetic religious identities. Religious and spiritual leaders should be collectively involved in this process, in accordance with the principle of State neutrality in matters of religion. The intercultural dialogue should include events of a strongly symbolic nature involving the collective presentation, on a structured and regular basis, of different cultural, spiritual and artistic traditions - for example, a national festival of Guyanese cultures and traditions.