A/HRC/14/18 105. The Department of International Law of the Organization of American States (OAS) made four proposals for the observance of the International Year for People of African Descent, namely: support for the process of developing a draft inter-American convention against racism and all forms of discrimination and intolerance; the inclusion of a theme on people of African descent in activities to promote and disseminate international law; the mainstreaming of the theme of people of African descent in the structure, policies and programmes of relevant international institutions, as well as States; and the promotion of comprehensive development strategies for people of African descent. The proposal included the incorporation of ethnicity and race in the census and in data collection and the development of policies to achieve the Millennium Development Goals; improving access to education as well as the level and quality of education for people of African descent; and the inclusion of the theme of people of African descent in corporate social responsibility strategies and programmes. 106. The OAS Department of International Law also offered to host, in the framework of the International Year for People of African Descent, a forum to discuss the above initiatives, with the participation of experts, academics, representatives from Governments, international organizations and civil society, in order to raise the profile of people of African descent. Such a forum could also establish links between the African and American continents. 107. At the 7th meeting, on 15 April, the members of the Working Group and observers continued discussing proposals for activities for the 2011 International Year for People of African Descent. 108. Several observers stressed that civil society and in particular communities of people of African descent should be actively engaged in the activities to take place in 2011. It was also stated that the International Year should be observed throughout the United Nations system, under the leadership of OHCHR. It was suggested that OHCHR take immediate measures to launch a widely publicized information campaign. 109. An observer noted that women of African descent and their organizations should be accorded priority at all activities. Religious institutions and leaders should also be associated with the International Year. Celebrities of African descent should also be involved. 110. A few observers suggested that the term “Afrophobia” start being included in relevant United Nations documents. 111. Further proposals made by observers included the organization of a one-day forum on “Reparations for descendents of the victims of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery and the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action”; the preparation and circulation of an information note, providing an overview of initiatives for people of African descent put in place since the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; to link the international year with the 10th anniversary of that document (also in 2011); the carrying out of a survey on compliance with provisions of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; the preparation of a booklet containing examples of good practices for the elimination of racial discrimination; the creation of a peace award; the establishment of a global observatory for monitoring purposes; the establishment and promotion of networks of organizations of people of African descent; the establishment of a forum on people of African descent, similar to the one on indigenous peoples; a push for a decade on people of African descent; the carrying-out of studies on racial discrimination in various areas, such as employment (ILO), health (WHO), education (UNESCO), among others; and the collection of data on the situation of people of African descent. 17