16/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Committee of the Regions (CoR) and the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) is organising on 16 and 17 March in Vienna, a seminar on the contribution of the local and regional authorities in the protection of minorities and anti-discrimination policies. The Austrian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Hans Winkler, the President of the CoR Michel Delebarre and the Director of EUMC Beate Winkler will introduce the work, which will be divided into two workshops: (1) Taking advantage of diversity: how to promote active citizenship of member of minorities and strengthen intercultural dialogue at local and regional level; (2) Encouraging positive education and housing measures and facilitating access to the job market good practice at local and regional level. (Info: waltraud.etz@eumc.eu.int).