A/HRC/10/8 page 9 strategies on how to find harmony and peace. While it is evident that dialogue alone cannot solve all the underlying problems, the Special Rapporteur nonetheless stresses that it can contribute to defusing tensions in post-conflict situations and can also help prevent them before a situation deteriorates. During her country missions, she was encouraged by several examples of fruitful dialogue bringing together people from different religious and political backgrounds. The Special Rapporteur also welcomes the recent initiative of a Catholic-Muslim forum4 at which it was emphasized, inter alia, that religious minorities are entitled to be respected in their own religious convictions and practices. 19. With regard to participation in initiatives related to interreligious dialogue, the Special Rapporteur believes that it should not be limited to leaders of religious or belief communities, but be as inclusive as possible. Indeed, interreligious dialogue at the grass-roots level should be strongly encouraged and an exchange of views should, if possible, also include atheists and non-theists as well as believers who are dispassionate about their faith and members of religious minorities. Any dialogue would also greatly benefit from the perspectives of women, who tend to be marginalized in major events of interreligious dialogue. Indeed, although women are often subject to discrimination based on religion or belief, women’s groups have been very effective human rights advocates across religious lines in situations of communal tensions. In addition, the Special Rapporteur believes that artists, including those in the visual media, may play an important role in public education regarding religious tolerance and in building bridges between different communities. Journalists and lawyers can also make a difference, especially when their statements and actions transcend religious lines. Politicians should also help to implement concrete actions aiming at promoting religious tolerance and mainstreaming religious diversity. In this regard, emphasis should be put on public awareness and education. They are particularly crucial in a world where technology plays a powerful role in building public opinion. In addition, prompt responses to acts of violence based on religion or belief are critical; they can either fan religious intolerance or can be constructive and calm rising tensions. The electronic media therefore have a key role which, if played in a responsible manner, can contribute to peace. 20. The Special Rapporteur acknowledges that the content of interreligious dialogue might potentially also give rise to controversy, in particular if it entails discussion on the respective religions and their theological approaches. As a result, there may be the temptation to look for dialogue only on non-contentious topics that are not directly related to theology, such as common environmental concerns. While debate on these topics is without doubt useful, the potential of interreligious dialogue to promote religious tolerance by improving understanding between and among members of religious or belief communities should not be neglected. Participants in interreligious dialogue might well be able to discuss the similarities and differences of their respective theological approaches. In doing so, they may find common ground on several issues, but they might also ultimately agree to disagree. 4 Held from 4 to 6 November 2008 in Rome. It was formed by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and a delegation of the 138 Muslim signatories of the open letter entitled “A common word”. The final declaration of the first seminar of the Catholic-Muslim Forum is available at the address http://acommonword.com/en/attachments/108_FinalFinalCommunique. pdf.