III. Public Goods and Services 15. Equal access to public goods and services without direct or indirect discrimination should be ensured and is a necessary precondition for the effective social and economic participation of persons belonging to national minorities. Public goods and services are essential to economic activity and to the potential of all to participate fully in social and economic life. While definitions of public goods vary, generally they are those goods and services that are not provided through market mechanisms, benefit all of society and should be available to all, such as clean drinking water, infrastructure for electricity and other utilities, roads, and emergency services. Housing, health care, education and internet access may also fall under definitions of public goods and services. Equal access to public goods and services is necessary for the integration of diverse societies.84 A lack of access to public goods and services may result from, and contribute to, social and economic exclusion, fuelling resentment and tensions in society. Barriers to accessing public goods and services may result from both direct and indirect discrimination. In addition to having in place comprehensive legislation to combat discrimination in the provision of public goods and services,85 States should take measures to identify and address obstacles that persons belonging to minorities may face in accessing public goods and services. Some minority communities or individuals within minority communities, such as minority women and youth, may face specific barriers which require targeted solutions.86 All providers of public services should be trained in non-discrimination and cultural sensitivity. If the central, regional or local authorities engage the private or non-profit sector in the delivery of public goods and services, consideration should be given to the impact of such outsourcing on national minorities. The State should ensure oversight of the provision of goods and services by non-State entities and intervene if shortcomings are identified. The State is also responsible for making sure that 84 85 86 38 Ljubljana Guidelines, Guideline 9. See: Recommendation 2 in this document. FCNM AC, Commentary on Participation, paragraph 39. Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life