12th Session, Geneva, 28 and 29 November 2019 The issue of education as a human right and its impact for minorities constitutes one of the thematic priorities of the Special Rapporteur, and in line with the enhanced regional focus of his mandate, the Special Rapporteur undertook to organize three regional forums on "Education, Language and the Human Rights of Minorities” in Europe, Asia-Pacific, as well as Africa and the Middle East. Discussions at the regional forums aim at providing regional insights on legislative, institutional and policy initiatives for protection and promotion of minority language education, and the adoption of inclusive pedagogical and educational approaches, with the view to ensuring equal access to education for persons belonging to minorities. The 12th Session of the Forum on Minority Issues will further build on these regional discussions, reflect on the global experiences in this particular area, and culminate with the elaboration of specific recommendations addressed to all relevant stakeholders. 2. General Objectives The Forum on Minority Issues aims to provide 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. The Forum shall analyse practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives in addressing education in, and teaching of, minority languages as a human rights issue, in line with the principles and rights enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities and other relevant international instruments. The Forum shall, inter alia, examine effective state legislation, policies and programmes as well as initiatives of other relevant stakeholders, including international and regional organizations, national human rights institutions and civil society. Other objectives include:     Raising awareness of the ways in which the education in and the teaching of minority languages is anchored in international human rights obligations; Providing a platform for dialogue and exchange on practical challenges of minority language education among various stakeholders; Identifying and discussing the central issues of concern related to education and minority languages; Amplifying the voices of minority communities in assessing and improving minority language education policies. 2