A/HRC/7/74 page 5 where the organization could bring added value. Impunity, lack of access to information, weak institutions, poverty resulting from poor governance and inequality, democratic deficit, and discrimination are potential areas where corruption is the cause of depriving people of their rights, as well as often being among the root causes of conflict. At the same time the Board underlined the importance of having a corruption-free police force, national planning agencies, audit agencies, judicial academies, and military academies. The Board additionally saw the importance of focusing on the so-called South-North dimension when addressing corruption. 7. In relation to economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR), the Board was briefed on how theoretical expertise on ESCR developed in the RRDB feeds into country engagement, technical cooperation and capacity-building efforts. The Board of Trustees mentioned that there has been a tendency to give priority to political and civil rights in general. It is a misconception that ESCR are only aspirational goals rather than enforceable rights. The Board emphasized that cultural rights are often the “poor cousin” of economic and social rights and further noted that ESCR have the potential to act as a bridge to achieve political and civil rights. Overall, the Board noted an increased attention to these rights and encouraged greater attention to field ESCR activities in the future. 8. In view of the recent adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, the Board was apprised of the thematic work of OHCHR in this area. The Board commended the ongoing work, in particular the enunciation of policy and strategy through, inter alia, developing handbooks, mainstreaming initiatives, incorporation into laws, and assistance to countries upon request. The Board emphasized that “disabilities” is a crosscutting theme, which is often combined with conflict, governance and discrimination. The Board recommended that disabilities should be mainstreamed and integrated into the work of all United Nations country teams. In order to enable participation by persons with disabilities, the Board further pointed out that appropriate physical infrastructure needs to be available. For example, in order to participate in the Committee work in Geneva, blind persons would need “reasonable accommodations” such as assistance during travel and stay in Geneva, materials in accessible formats (i.e. braille), etc. 9. The Board was informed of the work of the open-ended Working Group on the Right to Development, particularly of its three-year workplan to operationalize a set of criteria for the evaluation of certain global development partnerships from a human rights perspective. In addition, the Board was briefed on the adoption of Human Rights Council resolution 4/4, which endorsed the practical global partnership approach recommended by the Working Group. Four global partnerships would be assessed in 2007/2008 from the perspective of the right to development. The Board noted the focus on partnerships and existing mechanisms, and commented that there will be a need for buy-in from the various country teams. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the essential instrument in this regard, which highlights that there is both an international and a national angle to the right to development.