III • Minorities and effective participation in economic life 54. Initiatives on corporate social responsibility should integrate attention to minority rights in their monitoring, accountability and capacity-building activities. Such initiatives should aim at having a real impact on the enjoyment of human rights of minorities and be evaluated in accordance with this goal. In particular, high standards of due diligence should be maintained to prevent and eliminate any negative effects of corporate activities on the lands, resources, traditional knowledge, culture and beliefs of minority groups. 55. Business associations should work with minority businesses and minority business associations to safeguard their equal protection before the law and under relevant regulatory frameworks. Minorities could consider the establishment of minority business associations to facilitate the promotion of minority businesses and protection of minority rights in the domestic legal and regulatory framework directed at business and enterprise. International financial institutions: International Monetary Fund, World Bank and regional development banks 56. International financial institutions should ensure that their financial lending and technical cooperation does not result in direct or indirect discrimination against minority groups or violations of other minority rights. Impact assessments of proposed macroeconomic, financial and structural reforms and funding of large-scale Government projects should include attention to the situation of minorities and recommendations for respecting, protecting and fulfilling their rights, including safeguarding their livelihoods and securing their land, property and resources. International financial institutions should urge Governments to take steps to mitigate the effects of the global economic crisis on minorities and to protect minority rights during periods of increased vulnerability. 57. International financial institutions should ensure that programme support initiatives on poverty eradication and social inclusion take full account of and respond to barriers to participation in economic life experienced by minority groups. In-house systems for reviewing strategic plans, lending and country programmes from the perspective of minority rights protection should be established with the effective participation of minority groups. International financial institutions are encouraged to adopt safeguard policies and complaints mechanisms that are easily accessible to minorities. Information on the activities of international financial institutions should be made available to minorities, including through proactive outreach to minority communities, minority media outlets and translation of relevant documents. International financial institutions should promote hiring policies that foster the active recruitment and retention of minority workers. Compilation of Recommendations of the First Four Sessions 2008 to 2011 39 ECONOMIC LIFE F.