A/HRC/18/AC.3/2 (f) To elaborate short-, medium- and long-term proposals for the elimination of racial discrimination against people of African descent, bearing in mind the need for close collaboration with international and development institutions and the specialized agencies of the United Nations system to promote the human rights of people of African descent through, inter alia, the following activities: (i) Improving the human rights situation of people of African descent by devoting special attention to their needs through, inter alia, the preparation of specific programmes of action; (ii) Designing special projects, in collaboration with people of African descent, to support their initiatives at the community level and to facilitate the exchange of information and technical know-how between these populations and experts in these areas; (iii) Liaising with financial and developmental institutional and operational programmes and specialized agencies of the United Nations, with a view to contribute to the development programmes intended for people of African descent by allocating additional investments to health systems, education, housing, electricity, drinking water and environmental control measures and promoting equal opportunities in employment, as well as other affirmative or positive measures and strategies within the human rights framework. 3. At its first and second sessions, the Working Group decided to recommend that specific themes relevant to the situation of people of African descent be addressed at its forthcoming sessions (E/CN.4/2003/21). The Working Group considered that this approach would allow invited panellists on the selected themes to inform the discussions and enrich the debates at the sessions, and lead to the formulation of measures and recommendations addressed to the Commission. The Working Group followed this methodology at its third, fourth, fifth and sixth sessions. At its seventh session, although following a similar methodology, the Working Group analysed the observations and conclusions adopted at its previous sessions in order to distil and formulate its contribution to the Preparatory Committee of the Durban Review Conference. At its eighth session, the Working Group reviewed the work accomplished in previous sessions and methodologies employed and analysed the situation of children of African descent. At its ninth session, the Working Group examined the theme of structural discrimination as it affects people of African descent, as well as possible activities to mark the International Year for People of African Descent (2011). 4. In its resolution 64/169, the General Assembly proclaimed 2011 to be the International Year for People of African Descent. The aim of the Year is to strengthen national actions and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of people of African descent in relation to their full enjoyment of economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights, their participation and integration in all political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society, and to promote greater knowledge of and respect for their diverse heritage and culture. The General Assembly encouraged, inter alia, the specialized agencies of the United Nations system, within their respective mandates and existing resources, to make preparations for and identify possible initiatives that could contribute to the success of the Year. In accordance with the resolution, the Working Group, at its tenth session, will seek to contextualise the Year through a discussion of, and the drafting of conclusions and recommendations on, the situation currently faced by people of African descent; positive action to combat discrimination against people of African descent; the contribution made by people of African descent to global development; and the lack of knowledge of the culture, history and traditions of people of African descent. 2