12th Session, Geneva, 28 and 29 November 2019 The Twelfth session of the Forum on Minority Issues aims to promote dialogue and cooperation in order to identify effective solutions, as well as to highlight the critical role of international and regional organizations and international, regional and bilateral cooperation in reaching the above-mentioned objectives: 3. Participants The Forum shall be open to the participation of states, United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes, intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies, academics and experts on minority issues, representatives of minorities, minority and non-governmental organizations. 4. Areas of Discussion In light of the main objectives of the forum the discussions will address the following overarching themes that reflect the main challenges and issues in the field of minority language education and the human rights of persons belonging to minorities:     Human rights and minority language education. Public policy objectives for education in, and the teaching of, minority languages. Effective practices for education in, and the teaching of, minority languages. Language, education and the empowerment of minority women and girls. 5. Inputs and outcome The UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues encourages wide participation from states, national human rights institutions, civil society representatives, as well as regional and international organizations and other stakeholders. All participants are encouraged to contribute to the discussion and dialogue by sharing experiences and views about the main areas of discussion of the Forum. Based on the dialogue and contributions of the participants a summary of the discussion of the Forum will be prepared by the Chairperson of the Forum, and the Special Rapporteur on minority issues will prepare a report on the recommendations of the Forum 3