A/HRC/14/18 II. 26 Substantive proposals: 10. That the International Year for People of African Descent be observed formally at the High-level Segment of the sixteenth session of the Human Rights Council by way of organizing a panel discussion. 11. That an International Day for People of African Descent be declared after wide consultation with people of African descent; but that the date chosen be connected with an important date in Haitian history in recognition of Haiti’s fundamental role in exposing discrimination against people of African descent and centring concepts of human dignity and right to freedom and justice for people of African descent locally, regionally and globally from 1791 to 1804 and beyond. 12. That the Human Rights Council be invited to launch the process for the formulation of a declaration on people of African descent and give a mandate to the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent to develop a draft text in this respect. 13. That a high-level international conference on people of African descent be organized, under the auspices of the General Assembly, on the theme “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development” with the participation of Member States and all relevant specialized agencies, human rights treaty bodies, special procedures and other stakeholders. 14. That regional conferences be held in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and North America, on topics related to the situation of people of African descent. 15. That OHCHR organize side events on the situation of people of African descent during the regular sessions of the Human Rights Council in 2011. 16. That a publication on the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent be produced in the series “Fact sheets” including a compilation of the recommendations by the Working Group. 17. That participation be encouraged by the largest number of civil society representatives in activities organized for the International Year for People of African Descent and that an international network be created which is devoted to exchanging information among the various sections of NGOs representing people of African descent. 18. That arrival point sites of memory be established in all countries where Africans were relocated and in all countries that benefited from the transatlantic trade in Africans. 19. That Governments be encouraged to include in their education activities awarenessraising events relating to the observance of the International Year for People of African Descent, through, inter alia, art competitions, cultural events, awards, academic events, films and documentaries with a view to the restoration of the dignity of people of African descent. 20. That States, United Nations agencies, and regional organizations encourage cultural links between the African diaspora and the African continent.