A/HRC/FMI/2023/1 Panel discussions During the two-day session, participants will be invited to contribute to four panel discussions organized under the theme “Minorities and Cohesive Societies: Equality, Social Inclusion, and Socio-economic Participation”. Each session will be introduced by three panellists. Recommendations emanating from the panel discussions will be included in the outcome document that the Special Rapporteur will present to the Human Rights Council at its fiftyfifth session. 2. Challenges to Inclusion & Equality: barriers in social and economic participation of minorities Under this item, the Forum will address the systemic and structural challenges and discrimination minority groups may face, including the unique obstacles for minority women and girls; look at disadvantages such as language or other requirements or lack of educational opportunities or resources in regions where minorities are concentrated and explore policies and practices that result or exacerbate minority exclusion or disadvantages. 3. Socio-economic Empowerment Under this item, the Forum will look at ways to amplify economic participation of people belonging to minority groups and emphasizing equal opportunities in both society, employment, and entrepreneurship, with special attention to the economic support of minority migrants and refugees. In addition, it will aim to identify strategies to engage and empower minority youth by tapping into educational and employment prospects, and examples of inclusive policies, including in the use of minority languages, in terms of access to services and increased employment opportunities. 4. Legal and Structural Approaches to More Inclusive Societies Under this item, the Forum will explore legislation, policies, and the provision of public goods and services which are respective of the rights of minorities to equality without discrimination to address healthcare, educational, and economic inequalities, including through addressing proportionate infrastructure or development investments, examine how legislation can increase opportunities that honour and represent minority identity, and discuss the importance of ensuring equal access without discrimination to technology and fostering digital literacy within minority communities. 5. Positive Examples, Good Practices and Approaches, and Space or More Under this item, the Forum will start with discussing legal and institutional frameworks and policies that managed to effectively safeguard minority rights and promoted their inclusion in the society. Furthermore, given that the scope of discussions of the Forum cannot be possibly exhaustive, the Forum will also welcome participants to share additional information on issues of high importance on the inclusion of minorities in cohesive societies for further consideration. 6. Concluding remarks The Co-Chairs of the Forum on Minority Issues and the Special Rapporteur on minority issues will make concluding remarks, drawing on the outcomes of the two days of discussion and including proposals for follow-up steps to be taken by all Forum participants. 2