A/HRC/13/59 long way towards redressing historical injustices and disenfranchisement of this sector of society. The Working Group praises the creation of the Corporation for Afro-Ecuadorian Development (CODAE) and the work that it has been undertaking in guiding Government policy on the population of African descent in Ecuador. The experts trust that the new institution that replaces it, in accordance with a broad institutional restructuring introduced with the adoption of the new Constitution of 2008, will continue to effectively orient Government policy to address the challenges faced by Afro-Ecuadorians and ensure their equal participation in all aspects of society and the advancement and economic development of the country. The Working Group notes the unprecedented amount of resources that the Government has invested in social services during the last two years to benefit poorer sectors of society particularly, and recognizes that this will have a continuing beneficial impact upon many persons of African descent. The experts suggest, however, that targeted investment directed specifically towards Afro-descendent communities is also necessary to alleviate the serious shortfalls in the provision of fundamental services that some of these communities endure. The Working Group welcomes the measures contained within the National Development Plan 2007–2010, designed to encourage the institutional development of Afro-Ecuadorian organizations, promote the integration of the Afro-descendent population through, inter alia, quotas in State institutions and advance the situation of Afro-Ecuadorian women. The experts encourage the Government to redouble its efforts to ensure that all of the measures contemplated in the National Development Plan to benefit the AfroEcuadorian population are implemented. The concrete measures recommended by the Working Group include the adoption of specific legislation on non-discrimination; the development of a national campaign to promote multiculturalism and respect for the dignity of the Afro-Ecuadorian people; the adoption of measures to reduce the educational gap that exists between Afro-Ecuadorians and the wider population; the introduction of ethno-education for people of African descent; the strengthening of Afro-Ecuadorian civil society; measures to eliminate racism and discrimination in the media; further efforts to encourage participation of persons of African descent in public administration; the establishment of a centre for Afro-Ecuadorian studies; the further development of free legal aid services; the creation within the office of the Ombudsman of a sub-unit dedicated to issues related to people of African descent and the creation of special programmes to promote the education of women of African descent. 2 GE.10-10207