September 22, 2009

Congresswoman Lee to Chair United Nations Forum on Minority Issues

For Immediate Release
September 22, 2009

Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661

Washington, D.C. – On September 17, 2009 Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) was named Chairperson of the second session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues. The international Forum, to be held November 12 -13th, will focus in its second session on “Minorities and Effective Political Participation.”

“I am extremely honored to be appointed to this prestigious position and to participate in a formal capacity at the UN Forum on Minority Issues,” said Congresswoman Lee. “I look forward to working in this capacity to promote dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities around the globe.”

“This Forum represents a unique opportunity engage in discussion on opportunities to increase and strengthen the participation of minorities in the decision-making processes of their governments--a subject of deep personal interest throughout my life and career.”

As Chairperson of the 2009 UN Forum on Minority Issues, Congresswoman Lee will lead a global discussion of ways to gain greater involvement of minorities in countries around the world in political activities.  The Forum will bring together over 400 participants, including government delegations, UN officials, political parties and minorities from every region of the globe.  The Forum will produce a set of action-oriented recommendations that will be made publicly available and widely circulated.

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