A/HRC/14/18 currently being studied by the Committee, including an international study examining the contributions of people of African descent with recommendations to address challenges faced by that group. 97. Ms. Shepherd supported the proposal of memorials to allow people of African descent to grieve for their ancestors. She also proposed a textbook review project to start the healing process of children of African descent. 98. The Chair suggested that a voluntary fund be set up to facilitate the participation of people of African descent in the sessions of the Working Group on People of African Descent. She also proposed the creation of a travelling museum with interactive features, citing the example of the Anne Frank museum, as a way to combat ignorance about people of African descent. 99. One observer stated that some of the proposals put forward were already included in the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The real issue, in her view, was the lack of implementation by States of the proposals in the Durban document. 100. Nigeria, on behalf of the African Group, presented several proposals, while reserving the right to fine-tune them at a later stage. They included the establishment of a special fund to facilitate the participation of NGOs dealing with issues of people of African descent in the Working Group sessions; the formal observance of the International Year at the high-level segment of the Human Rights Council by way of organizing a panel discussion in that regard; and the production of a compilation of the numerous recommendations emanating from the various sessions of the Working Group since 2002. Nigeria also proposed that the International Year should be observed within the United Nations on a system-wide basis and all specialized agencies and other United Nations bodies be requested to include observance of the International Year; that a unit be established in OHCHR to coordinate the activities of Afro-descendant NGOs to enable their participation in activities marking the International Year and in subsequent meetings of the Working Group; and also that OHCHR organize forums and seminars or side events during the regular sessions of the Human Rights Council, on the situation of people of African descent. 101. One observer, on behalf of a collective of NGOs, proposed, inter alia, that the Secretary-General be requested to establish a voluntary fund for the International Year and invite contributions from Member States and all relevant donors, and that the High Commissioner for Human Rights be appointed as the Coordinator of the Year and closely cooperate with, and reserve a lead role for, the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. It was also proposed that the theme for the Year be “People of African Descent – recognition, justice and development”. 102. With respect to United Nations observance of the International Year for People of African Descent, the NGO collective recommended, inter alia, that an opening-day ceremony should be held on 10 December 2010 at the sixty-fifth session of the General Assembly and that a symbol be designed by an African-descendant artist for use in connection with the International Year. 103. With respect to activities at the national level, the NGO collective suggested that contact persons for the Year be designated in appropriate ministries and that national committees, composed of government representatives, people of African descent and nongovernmental organizations, be established to prepare a national programme of activities.. 104. One NGO observer, representing another collective of NGOs, presented a proposal that included a “sports for peace” project and a “week of hope in recognition of truth, justice, peace and reconciliation” to be organized in October 2011. Ms. Shepherd cautioned that 12 October was considered by indigenous peoples as a day of tragedy. 16