A/HRC/16/45 level. From implementing non-discrimination in employment and enforcing corporate responsibility principles to developing national economic development and international development assistance schemes, Governments face the constant challenge of ensuring that the rights of minorities are protected and that they benefit as equal stakeholders in society. In this regard, in their response to the current global crisis, development agencies, financial institutions and other actors involved in international cooperation are also faced with the challenge of ensuring that measures taken and cooperation envisaged in order to alleviate the effects of the crisis do not negatively impact minority rights. The recommendations of the third Forum on Minority Issues will be presented to the Human Rights Council at its sixteenth session (A/HRC/16/46). 11. During the reporting period, the independent expert undertook follow-up activities to promote implementation of the recommendations emanating from sessions of the Forum. Between 31 October and 3 November, she participated in an international parliamentary conference on the theme “Parliaments, minorities and indigenous peoples: effective participation in politics”, in Chiapas, Mexico, organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Mexican Congress of the Union and the Government of Chiapas, in collaboration with her mandate, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), among other partners. The Conference brought together parliamentarians from around the world to exchange lessons learned and good practices and to set out an agenda for action to enhance the effective participation of minorities and indigenous peoples in politics. The recommendations of the second session of the Forum on Minority Issues on minorities and effective political participation featured as a key resource and subject for the conference discussions. 12. This important global event sought to raise awareness of and build upon the recommendations of the Forum and other resources with a view to encouraging practical action and implementation at the national level. Discussions considered issues including: factors that determine the extent to which minorities and indigenous peoples are involved in the development of laws and measures affecting them; measures to overcome the double discrimination faced by minority and indigenous women; mechanisms for ensuring accountability of minority and indigenous representatives; the role of political parties in representing the specific interests of minorities or indigenous peoples; the advantages and limitations of parliamentary committees; and what lessons can be drawn from the participation of minorities and indigenous peoples in decision-making bodies at the regional, provincial and local levels. 13. On 18 and 19 December 2010, the independent expert participated in a civil society seminar in New Delhi, entitled: “Minority Issues and Social Exclusion in South, South East and East Asia: Challenges and State & Civil Society Responses, Positive Practices, Learning’s & Future Tasks”. The seminar benefitted from the participation of representatives of human rights organizations from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Its objectives included: to share information, take stock of key issues, share advocacy initiatives, identify positive practices; to share information on United Nations bodies and mechanisms and to identify entry points and opportunities for engagement with the United Nations system. It offered an important regional opportunity for the independent expert to promote awareness and implementation of the 1992 Declaration on Minorities and the recommendations of the Forum on Minority Issues.1 1 For a review of the proceedings and outcomes of this event, see document A/HRC/16/45/Add.3. 5