A/HRC/2/2 A/HRC/Sub.1/58/36 page 95 33. Every four years, the future expert advice mechanism should undertake a review of the continuing need for the intersessional working groups. 34. To enable the necessary scrutiny of studies and discussion of standard-setting proposals, the future expert advice mechanism would need to limit the number of such initiatives and prioritize its activities. 35. The expert body, when considering reports and standard-setting proposals, would need to establish means of ensuring that there was discussion of both general issues and detailed proposals. 36. When determining its methods of work, the future expert advice mechanism is invited to take into account Sub-Commission resolution 2005/32 of 11 August 2005. 37. Throughout every aspect of its work, the expert body would seek the widest possible participation in its activities on the part of NGOs, NHRIs, Governments and regional and intergovernmental organizations, including United Nations organizations and agencies. 38. HRCC should assume responsibility for and continue ongoing studies, in accordance with the resolutions and decisions adopted by the Sub-Commission at its fifty-eighth session. II. OVERVIEW OF PAST AND RECENT CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE SUB-COMMISSION 68. The Sub-Commission began its life shortly after the establishment of the United Nations and the Commission on Human Rights. It has throughout been a historical provider of expertise and a pathfinder contributing to the policy deliberations and decisions of governmental bodies in developing understanding of the human rights issues facing communities and groups, elaborating human rights standards, advancing towards universal implementation and realization of human rights, and shaping insights into new problems. 69. The Sub-Commission has taken initiatives and produced pioneering studies on problems little understood at the time, such as inequality and discrimination, equality in the administration of justice, gender justice, the rights of persons belonging to minorities, the rights of indigenous peoples, the right of self-determination, the eradication of apartheid, the new international economic order and human rights, the rights of migrants, religious freedom, harmful traditional practices affecting the health of women and the girl child, and the relationship between peace and human rights, to mention only a few. More recently, the Sub-Commission has undertaken many further studies, for example the studies on constructive and peaceful solutions to problems involving minorities, the right to restitution, compensation and rehabilitation for victims of gross violations of human rights, terrorism and human rights, extreme poverty, impunity, corruption, the right to drinking water and sanitation, and human rights and the human genome. (A list of the key studies and reports of the Sub-Commission is appended.) Through its research the Sub-Commission has laid the foundations for the deliberations of intergovernmental bodies and the development of policy prescriptions and norms.