A/50/514 English Page 13 taken by the Executive Board at its 144th session in April-May 1994, at which the Executive Board noted with satisfaction the ongoing activities of the organization in that regard. 45. UNESCO is at present collecting material on national legislation and policies concerning the protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities, in order to gain a better perception of the status of protection given at the national/local level. The organization is also gathering information on bilateral arrangements for such protection. These could provide the bases for further reflections and activities in this field. 46. A notable activity relates to the preparation of a manual on human rights teaching in institutions of higher education. The manual would contain a chapter on the rights of persons belonging to minorities, and thereby contribute to educational action in this field. 47. During the coming biennium 1996-1997, UNESCO will give particular attention to the prevention of discrimination against persons belonging to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, notably in the sphere of education and culture. With a view to promoting the implementation of UNESCO’s Convention and Recommendation against Discrimination in Education, member States will be provided with a compilation of examples of national education laws, policies and measures against discrimination in education, with particular emphasis on the educational and cultural rights of women and girls, refugees, migrants and persons belonging to minorities. 48. UNESCO has contributed to the safeguard of a common heritage composed of several cultures as well as the promotion of artistic expression of groups or persons belonging to different cultural communities. Pilot projects to promote the cultural activities of nomads have been implemented in order to demonstrate that those cultures, linking their originality and creativity to their adoptive societies, constitute immense sources of richness for humanity. 49. UNESCO has also made an intellectual contribution further to the request of research institutions and multicultural or intercultural centres involved in the daily management of the phenomenon of social exclusion arising from cultural discrimination. Moral and technical support have been provided to the launching and coordination of projects on the religious or cultural convergence within various multi-ethnic nations. Certain key issues were identified: (a) Creating a way to encourage dialogue between minorities and Governments; (b) Enabling Governments to review and explore the recommendations of Asbjørn Eide and the Declaration, including the implementation by United Nations agencies and bodies; (c) Facilitating the effective promotion of the Declaration and Asbjørn Eide’s recommendations; /...