A/CONF.189/PC.1/7 page 40 schools in order to improve understanding between the two communities (ibid., para. 45). Such action should be encouraged by Governments, especially in countries where many ethnic and religious communities live side by side. 4. Town planning policies 151. In some societies where there is a complex ethnic and denominational mix (see chap. II, sect. A.2), the layout of urban areas may be a factor in the emergence of a culture of rejection of others. The State and its subdivisions should make appropriate use of town planning to foster interaction between the various ethnic and denominational groups and to create a degree of solidarity and interests in common. Every effort should be made to avoid creating ghettos or compartmentalizing the various groups. The example set in many countries by towns with a large number of communities living side by side in the same space without confrontation (shopping streets, town centres, etc.), should provide inspiration. 5. Democracy and development 152. The Vienna World Conference on Human Rights rightly emphasized that democracy, development and the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and interconnected, and this trial is stressed in many of the reports of the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance.151 Whatever preventive or protective measures are adopted, there can be no skimping on democracy or development. Poverty, marginalization, totalitarianism, an absence or lack of democracy, and arbitrary action are a breeding-ground for all forms of extremism. They are capable of exacerbating religious and ethnic tensions, sparking conflicts and bringing to nought all efforts to protect human rights and minorities and to prevent discrimination against minorities.152 These goals are all too vague as yet, it is true, and may appear over-ambitious or hard to attain, yet specific, immediate action can still be taken and can, in the long-term, reduce tension and gradually eliminate the root causes of discrimination. Thus, States and other actors (NGOs, civil society, international development agencies, etc.) could introduce policies to provide financial, economic and social support to those ethnic and religious groups that are particularly disadvantaged, in order to combat extreme poverty, avoid exclusion and foster solidarity among the various groups that make up a society. Likewise, the State can play a vital role in introducing an ethical element into political life and particularly into the work of political parties and associations so that identification of an individual with several groups will no longer result in discrimination. Notes 1 2 See Joseph Yacoub, Les minorités dans le monde, Paris, Desclée de Brouwer, 1998, pp. 28-29. See, in particular, Elizabeth Odio-Benito, Special Rapporteur of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, “Elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief”. United Nations, New York, 1989, Sales No. F.89.XIV.3, para. 157.