Below is an article published by UNPO:

Update: CLICK HERE for information about UNPO's conference at the Forum, co-hosted by Minority Rights Group International.

We are pleased to announce that the 3rd Session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues is rapidly approaching. The Forum, to be held on the 14th & 15th of December 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland, is a valuable platform for minority representatives to contribute their knowledge and experiences to the UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues, and, indirectly, to the UN Human Rights Council. It also provides a wonderful opportunity for minority representatives, NGOs, state parties and UN officials to meet, mingle, share ideas and learn about important issues related to the rights of minority populations. The previous Session of the Forum was very successful; over 500 delegates were present and over 100 actively participated in the discussions!

UNPO at the Forum on Minority Issues

UNPO was responsible for organizing one of the largest and most active delegations present at the Second Session of the Forum in 2009. This year’s UNPO delegation is even more impressive, with twenty participants representing fourteen separate minority groups. Given the broad nature of the Forum’s focus, UNPO has decided to contribute a side event in parallel to the Forum. This event will raise issues related to the effective participation of minorities in the development of natural resources.

In light of the impressive attendance numbers, we would like to encourage attendees to introduce themselves in advance of the Forum. UNPO has set up a facebook events page for this very purpose. Please visit the page, R.S.V.P. so others know you are attending, and make a quick post on the wall with your name, organization and minority group or theme of interest. Those who share interests can then get in touch ahead of the Forum to plan meetings or collaborate on strategy. Step on up and don’t be shy!

About the Forum

The Forum on Minority Issues was established to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues related to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. It is designed to provide expertise to the work of the Independent Expert on minority issues. The Forum is meant to identify 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. In the year following the Forum, the Independent Expert will present a set of recommendations to the United Nations Human Rights Council under the Forum’s theme.

Practical Information

How to Register:

Submit to the Forum Secretariat the following three pieces of documentation:

1. The Conference Registration Forum (must be filled out for each participant)

2. A letter requesting accreditation (one per organization) – please see the Forum website for information on what must be contained in this letter

3. NGOs not in consultative status with ECOSOC must fill in this questionnaire, which should be submitted together with the above documents.

(To diminish the chance of mistakes, a copy of each participant’s passport or travel document can also be sent to the Secretariat along with the above forms)

*** Once registration is completed, which can take up to 4 weeks, the Secretariat will confirm eligibility***

Forum Documents:

Concept Note: relates the issues facing minorities in their effective participation in economic life.

Arabic – Chinese – English – French – Russian – Spanish

Draft Recommendations: these will form the basis for discussions during the Forum; participants in the Forum can provide feedback on these recommendations, which will be presented by the Independent Expert to the Human Rights Council in 2011.

Arabic – Chinese – English – French – Russian – Spanish

Substantive Preparation Note: information on how to prepare an oral statement, should you wish to make one during the Forum.

English – Spanish

Draft Programme of Work: Draft agenda for the Forum; if you wish to make an oral intervention, it will need to directly address one of the agenda items.

English

Practical Information for Confirmed Participants: information about collecting badges upon arrival, as well as an outline of the Forum schedule and information about accommodations in Geneva.

English

Practical tips from UNPO on Statements:

-       maximum length: 3 minutes

-       constructive and solution-finding approach

-       identify challenges, good practices, and/or solutions

-       directly relevant to the topic of the Forum

-       directly relevant to the agenda item

More information will be posted here as it becomes available. For additional information, including about past Session, please visit the Forum website.

To introduce yourself, meet other participants and get the latest updates from UNPO about the Forum, please sign up at our Facebook events page!