12 PROMOTING AND PROTECTING MINORITY RIGHTS IPMS is often the first point of contact at OHCHR for minority advocates and it facilitates their interaction with the rest of the Office and the United Nations system. Minorities Fellowship Programme IPMS organizes an annual Minorities Fellowship Programme, which provides intensive human rights training for minority representatives at OHCHR headquarters in Geneva to increase their knowledge of the United Nations system, instruments and mechanisms.22 The fellows attend briefing sessions on international human rights instruments and mechanisms and observe relevant sessions of human rights bodies. They are also introduced to the mandates and activities of other organizations within the United Nations system (including those discussed in chaps. VI–X). The programme involves individual and group assignments, including preparation of presentations on human rights issues in the fellows’ respective communities. The fellows learn about the country-focused work of OHCHR and practical ways of strengthening national human rights protection systems. They can also establish contacts with NGOs and intergovernmental organizations. The five-week programme, begun in 2005 and currently conducted in English and Arabic, has built the capacity of more than 65 representatives from different ethnic, religious and linguistic minority communities to work more effectively on minority issues. Many fellows have since conducted further training within their communities. In 2011, IPMS piloted the position of Senior Minority Fellow, through which a member of a national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minority who has relevant experience and education gains practical knowledge and work experience by directly contributing to the programmes and activities of IPMS. Former fellows have created a practical tool, the Minority Profile and Matrix on the human rights situation of minorities, by which minority advocates can present information to their own Governments, national human rights institutions, regional organizations and the United Nations. It indicates current legislation, policies and practices; identifies avenues for data collection, analysis and application; suggests ways of improving specific situations; offers a checklist of human rights challenges facing minorities; pinpoints trends and situations which may fuel conflict and violence; and develops a common language for sharing information and good practices.23 In 2006, OHCHR supported a project submitted by a former minority fellow from a Romani community in Bulgaria. The project enabled his organization, Roma Together, to organize a training workshop in Polski Trambesh for local Romani representatives. The workshop recommended that the municipal council set up a standing body of local minority representatives to provide policy input on minority issues, which was accepted by the mayor and the municipal council. A council on ethnic and demographic issues was subsequently established, offering a forum for consultation on local programmes and strategies targeting Roma. As a result, addressing issues facing the local Romani community became a priority in municipal policy; in 2009, the municipality allocated approximately 350,000 euros for activities aimed at the integration of the Romani minority. A number of funds and grants are managed by OHCHR (see chap. IX of Working with the United Nations Human Rights Programme: A Handbook for Civil Society). See www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Minorities/Pages/Fellowship.aspx (accessed 29 November 2012). 22 E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2006/3. 23