A/56/253 (f) The persistence of discrimination and intolerance ascribed to religion or to traditions relating to women, and resulting from State policies; from non-State, especially extremist, entities; or, in a more general and subtle manner, from the resistance of society as a whole to change and from the patriarchal nature of the State; (g) Very marked progress in the interreligious dialogue with a view to conflict prevention and management and also to reconciliation; (h) The victims of intolerance and discrimination on grounds of religion or belief are quite diverse: they may be believers or non-believers, communities of religion or belief or they may belong to society at large. Particularly affected, however, are vulnerable groups, such as women and minorities. 159. This assessment is thus a source of concern but, as is often the case, also of hope. 160. The Special Rapporteur must therefore tirelessly continue not only his role of management in the field of freedom of religion or belief, but also his preventive role. Indeed, it is essential to take day-to-day short-term action, by reporting to the international community any incident incompatible with the 1981 Declaration; but it is also vital to work for the long term by attacking the roots of intolerance and discrimination through prevention. 161. The change in the title of the Special Rapporteur from “Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance” to “Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief” on the occasion of the renewal of the mandate at the most recent session of the Commission on Human Rights (see resolution 2001/42) obviously reflects full recognition of the role of that mandate in management and prevention, which are complementary and indispensable activities. 162. Of course, the action, and especially the findings, of the Special Rapporteur fit within a larger, more complex context. Indeed, the implementation of the 1981 Declaration cannot be separated from the larger question of respect for human rights, concerning which no real gains can be made in the absence of democracy and development. One might therefore consider that action for the promotion of human rights should involve, on the one hand, action for the establishment, consolidation and protection of democracy, as an expression of human rights on the political level, and, on the other, action aimed at limiting and reducing extreme poverty and promoting the rights of individuals and peoples to development, as an expression of human rights and of economic, social and cultural solidarity among human beings. In other words, as noted at the World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna, democracy, development and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. 163. Conscious of this context, the Special Rapporteur expanded his activity in the field of freedom of religion or belief, substantially increasing the number of States to which communications were sent; greatly augmenting the number of communications, including those sent to a single State; instituting the urgent appeal procedure; making a greater number of requests for visits so as to ensure that an average of two missions are carried out each year; and creating a procedure for follow-up of the recommendations contained in his mission reports. 43