A/HRC/25/56 29. The Independent Expert participated as a panellist in a number of side events that were held during the Forum, including one event hosted by Adama Dieng, Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, on the theme of “Prevention of Incitement to Atrocity Crimes”. Other Side-Events included one focused on religious minorities in the Middle East and North African Region, and “Gender Justice and Religion: Women as Agents of Positive Change”, which examined the challenges facing women belonging to religious minorities and their role in fostering intercommunity tolerance and dialogue. III. Ensuring the inclusion of minority issues in post-2015 development agendas Introduction 30. The following thematic discussion forms part of an ongoing programme of work by the Independent Expert to ensure that minority issues are given appropriate attention in the context of the post-2015 development agenda. She will continue to consult widely on this issue with all relevant stakeholders at the global and national level to achieve this objective. 31. There are compelling arguments for giving greater attention to disadvantaged minorities in post-2015 development agenda and future development goals. Foremost amongst these is that globally minorities remain among the poorest and most socially and economically excluded and marginalized communities. Tens of millions of people belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities worldwide are trapped in a cycle of discrimination, exclusion, poverty and underdevelopment from which they cannot break free without targeted attention being given to their situations. The relationship between inequality, discrimination and poverty and its impact on disadvantaged minority groups cannot be ignored or underestimated. 32. As highlighted by the former Independent Expert, poverty within minority communities is both a cause and a manifestation of the diminished rights, opportunities and social advancement available to the members of minority communities. Their poverty involves more than just a lack of income or a daily struggle for basic sustenance and is frequently based on structural inequality and long-standing discrimination and social exclusion which defy “one-size-fits-all” solutions. Poor minority communities are less able to participate effectively in political decision-making. They suffer from unequal access to education, health care, employment and land. Minorities are more likely to lack citizenship and be stateless, often resulting in their total exclusion from development and human rights initiatives. 33. In fact, as 2015 approaches, many persons belonging to minorities are at risk of backsliding in development and human rights terms. For example, the impact of the global financial crisis is most deeply felt by the poorest in society, including minorities, who may lack secure employment and face shrinking social welfare platforms. Recent or ongoing conflicts have had a devastating impact on minorities in numerous countries. Religious minorities are under threat in countries where conflict or political and social unrest has emerged, including the “Arab Spring” States, leading many to flee their homes or become refugees in neighbouring States. 34. An emerging message underlying the consultations around the post-2015 development agendas has been “leave no one behind”. This message is a welcome one that indicates a growing global awareness that inequality greatly hampers development progress for those affected. The Independent Expert considers that a real risk exists that millions of disadvantaged minorities globally will be “left behind” if there is not a clear commitment at the global and national levels to address the development needs and human rights of 9