A/58/313 construction of a multicultural society. Indeed, the rebuilding of a democratic, egalitarian and interactive multicultural order should be the ultimate goal of societies with a multi-ethnic heritage, rent by the slave and colonial system and exploited by political powers on the basis of the ideological pillar of racism. 21. In Trinidad and Tobago the Special Rapporteur met with the Prime Minister, the Honourable Patrick Manning, and other political leaders, as well as representatives of civil society and various religious denominations. Although, like Guyana, it has inherited a similar multi-ethnic population and a society divided by conflict among communities and racial discrimination, Trinidad and Tobago is facing less ethnic polarization. The political exploitation of ethnic division is nevertheless practised there by various political parties and is reflected in their ethnic-majority composition and their leadership. The existence of a broad fringe of ethnically mixed people nevertheless attests to the presence of intense interactions and of communities coming together through their human and emotional relations. The ethnic polarization that is still reflected in the political superstructure is thwarted by the people’s robust ability to get along with one another. Moreover, following his visit, the Special Rapporteur believes that the example of Trinidad and Tobago confirms the crucial role of religious values in situations where ethnic tension and ethnic ghettos develop against the backdrop of the intermingling of race, religion and ethnicity. Indeed, the main religious and traditional spiritual leaders of this country recognized very early on the perils of ethnic polarization and fiercely fought back with interfaith dialogue, which, through their personal meetings, reciprocal participation in religious ceremonies and joint statements on important social questions, has given voice to the powerful teachings of living together, by practising “religion” in the original sense of the word — binding together, not tearing apart. Consequently, despite historical, demographic and, in certain respects, political similarities between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, the latter enjoys a particular multicultural vitality. The political class, all parties included, bears the basic responsibility for using this multicultural potential of society for democratic, social and economic ends. A political process seems to have begun in that respect. Indeed, the Prime Minister informed the Special Rapporteur of his initiative relating to the establishment of several committees, including one concerning interracial relations. Pending an update on those institutional reforms, which will be analysed in greater detail in his report to the Commission on Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur considers at this stage that the political leaders of Trinidad and Tobago seem to have set in motion a more fundamental and promising process of institutional reform and democratic consultation to end ethnic polarization. He recommends for the time being that political reforms should be pursued, particularly relating to cooperation between the authorities and the opposition, to eradicate the vestiges of ethnic polarization, and a more robust commitment to promote intercultural dialogue should be made to include the fight against all forms of discrimination in the long-term process of collectively building a multicultural, democratic, egalitarian and interactive society. 22. With respect to future missions, the Special Rapporteur has been invited to visit Canada from 15 to 26 September 2003 by the country’s Government. By listening to the various communities during that visit, the Special Rapporteur will be able to assess the goals, challenges, problems and outcome of Canadian multiculturalism, particularly in the light of the Durban Conference Programme of Action. The Special Rapporteur will also be making a visit to Colombia, from 29 11