A/HRC/10/11 page 9 D. Expert Meeting on Integration with Diversity in Policing 19. In her initial report the independent expert identified as a key thematic priority for her work: “to enhance understanding of minority issues in the context of promoting inclusion and stability”. In this context, and consistent with her dialogue with the Human Rights Council in March 2007, she is supporting work by the Indigenous and Minorities Unit of OHCHR in the area of policing in multi-ethnic societies. On 15 and 16 January 2008, she was co-organizer with OHCHR, ILO and UNODC of a global meeting on integration with diversity in policing, held in Vienna, which brought together experts in policing issues and diversity from every region. A summary report on the expert meeting was submitted to the Human Rights Council as document A/HRC/10/38/Add.1. V. ACTIVITIES TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS 20. The independent expert places a high priority on her engagement with non-governmental organizations from all regions. She benefits greatly from the views and information provided by them in regard to all aspects of her work. 21. As part of her interaction with country and regional NGOs the independent expert attended the Regional Workshop on Minority Issues in Southeast Asia from 21 to 23 January 2008, held in Bangkok. The workshop was organized by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia) in cooperation with the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), and Minority Rights Group International (MRG). The workshop brought together some 30 representatives of minority communities and minority rights organizations in Southeast Asia engaged in the promotion and protection of minority rights. The objectives of the workshop included to promote awareness of the situations of minority groups in Southeast Asia; to identify issues and challenges in specific countries and the region as a whole; and to facilitate and strengthen networking among minority groups and human rights defenders working on minority issues in Southeast Asia. 22. The workshop was the first on the theme of minority issues to take place in the region. It considered minorities in the region in the context of numerous thematic issues including the right to culture; economic and development participation; health, education and the MDGs; political participation; and the situation of minority women. Country situation papers were presented on Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam. Concern was expressed by participants regarding the general situation of minorities and indigenous peoples in the Southeast Asia region. A statement issued by participating NGOs following the workshop made a number of recommendations to States in the region and highlighted a range of key challenges which include: (a) Non-recognition of the diversity of ethnic, racial, religious and other identities within States in the region by national Governments; (b) Laws and policies that discriminate against persons belonging to ethnic, national, religious or linguistic minorities, combined with the imposition of exclusivist national identities by States, often based on the ethnicity and identity of the ethnic majority;