Promotion of accession to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons 62. As noted above, the 1954 Convention is part of a broader set of universal and regional standards. It is the only treaty which provides for an internationally recognized status for stateless persons. The Convention also resolves a series of (42) practical problems through provisions on travel documents and administrative assistance. The UN General Assembly and (43) the Executive Committee have therefore both encouraged States to consider accession to the Convention and instructed UNHCR to promote accession. The Executive Committee has specifically requested that UNHCR assist States to implement the Convention.(44) Achieving an increased number of accessions is a target under Global Strategic Priority 1.1. 63. Assistance to individual cases on protection issues is addressed under “Addressing individual cases”. e. Addressing sensitivities and lack of awareness 64. Prior to, or in parallel with other concrete steps such as those mentioned above, UNHCR must sometimes undertake activities to address sensitivities (often framed in terms of national sovereignty), and lack of awareness and understanding of statelessness situations. 65. Awareness-raising activities on statelessness are often among the first steps to be taken by UNHCR to address statelessness. Awareness-raising is important both as a preliminary step to mobilize other actors and also as a means of (45) preparing the way for action directly by UNHCR. Field Offices can, for instance, disseminate relevant international standards or information on statelessness and its impact at the global regional or country levels. Many Offices have found that the UNHCR/Inter-Parliamentary Union Handbook on Nationality and Statelessness has served as a useful tool to broach the (46) issue and introduce UNHCR’s statelessness mandate at the national level. The Handbook can be launched together with the national parliament. Thus far, the Handbook is available in 23 languages, including all official UN languages. 66. Government authorities may view issues relating to nationality and statelessness as sensitive. Such sensitivities can sometimes be addressed by assisting authorities to understand the causes and consequences of statelessness, not only for individuals but also for society and for the State. Where references to the term “statelessness” may lead to misunderstandings, it may be helpful if UNHCR and partners highlight issues which are linked to statelessness and on which there are shared concerns with the authorities. For example, depending on the situation, UNHCR Field Offices may initially wish to refer to issues such as civil documentation and registration, child protection and the right to acquire a nationality, (47) gender discrimination or assistance to victims of trafficking. Where there are risks of statelessness but it is not clear that a given population is in fact stateless, Field Offices can refer to the Organization’s mandate responsibility to prevent statelessness. Cooperation with partners who are not perceived as primarily interested in the issue of statelessness or refugee protection can bolster such an approach. V. Addressing individual cases 67. Contacts with stateless persons and individuals at risk of statelessness are essential to understanding their predicament and are fundamental to effective implementation of UNHCR’s mandate. While conducting field visits, participatory assessments or when attending individuals who have approached UNHCR or partners, Field Offices may identify individuals who require specific forms of assistance under the statelessness mandate. 42 UNGA Resolution A/RES/64/127 of 18 December 2009, para. 4. Executive Committee Conclusion No. 106 (LVII) – 2006, para. (s). 44 Executive Committee Conclusion No. 106 (LVII) – 2006, para. (x). 45 Executive Committee Conclusion No. 106 (LVII) – 2006, para. (c). 46 Executive Committee Conclusion No. 106 (LVII) – 2006, para. (g). 47 Executive Committee Conclusion No. 90 (LII) – 2001, para. (s). 43 17