FORUM ON MINORITY ISSUES FOURTH SESSION 29 and 30 November 2011 Room XX, Palais des Nations, Geneva SUMMARY BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE FORUM Ms. Graciela J. Dixon C. Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Panama Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 6/15 of 28 September 2007, the Forum on Minority Issues was established to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, as well as thematic contributions and expertise to the work of the Independent Expert on minority issues. The Forum identifies and analyzes best practices, challenges, opportunities and initiatives for the further implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (hereinafter referred to as “Declaration on Minorities”). The Forum meets annually for two days allocated to thematic discussions. The Independent Expert on minority issues, Ms. Rita Izsák, is responsible for guiding the work of the Forum, preparing its annual meetings and reporting on its thematic recommendations to the Human Rights Council. The fourth session of the Forum took place on 29 and 30 November 2011 in Room XX of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. Ms. Graciela Dixon was appointed as Chair of the Forum for this fourth session that focussed on "Guaranteeing the rights of minority women and girls". The Forum offers a unique opportunity for engagement and dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders including United Nations Member States and specialized agencies, intergovernmental and regional organizations, human rights treaty bodies, national human rights institutions, academics and individual experts as well as civil society actors working on minority issues. In addition this session of the Forum brought together persons belonging to minorities from all regions who are actively engaged in or have experience in promoting the education of minority women and girls; encouraging greater political participation of minority women at national or local levels; developing programmes to facilitate minority women’s access to income-generating activities; working together with minority women in social projects; achieving success in the arts, science and culture; and as minority women leaders. Over 400 participants took part in 1