W H Y I S N AT I O N A L I T Y I M P O RTA N T ? WHY IS THE 1961 CONVENTION R E L E VA N T TO DAY ? A lthough it has long been understood that statelessness should be avoided and that this goal can only be achieved through international cooperation, many States have yet to take action to ensure that everyone enjoys the right to a nationality. Due to the differing approaches taken by States with regard to the acquisition and loss of nationality, some individuals continue to “fall through the cracks” and become stateless. Common rules are therefore essential to address such gaps. The 1961 Convention is the only universal instrument that elaborates clear, detailed and concrete safeguards to ensure a fair and appropriate response to the threat of statelessness. Accession to the 1961 Convention equips States to avoid and resolve nationality-related disputes and mobilize international support to adequately deal with the prevention and reduction of statelessness. A higher number of States Parties will also help to improve international relations and stability by consolidating a system of common rules. 2 Preventing and R e d u c i n g S t a t e l e ss n e ss UNHCR /G. CONSTANTINE N ationality provides people with a sense of identity and is key to full participation in society. Without a nationality, people are generally excluded from political processes because they do not have the right to vote. Moreover, only ‘citizens’ have the unrestricted right to enter and reside in a country under international law. Stateless persons may therefore end up without any residence status or, worse, in prolonged detention. Statelessness also causes difficulties in a wide range of other areas, from travel to access to education and healthcare. Statelessness prevents people from fulfilling their potential and may have severe knock-on effects for social cohesion and stability; it may even lead to communal tension and displacement. Preventing and reducing statelessness is an effective way to tackle one root cause of such problems.