A/HRC/21/60 ensure effective implementation of fundamental provisions laid out in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA). She felt the proposed theme of “recognition, justice and development” could guide the objectives and activities for the Decade. She closed her remarks by affirming that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) remained committed to the realization of the rights of people of African descent. B. Election of the Chairperson-Rapporteur 6. The outgoing Chairperson-Rapporteur invited the experts to nominate a Chairperson-Rapporteur for its eleventh session; Verene Shepherd was elected by acclamation. 7. In accepting her role of Chairperson, Ms. Shepherd thanked the other experts for her election and congratulated her predecessor. She also welcomed the newest member of the working group, Ms. Fanon Mendes-France. The Chairperson thanked participants for their support, stressing the importance of working together. She stated her commitment to working hard to bring attention to anti-Black racism, pointing out that the only way to achieve peace is reconciliation. She also noted the importance of looking back at past experiences and lessons learned to plan future actions. C. Organization of work 8. The Working Group adopted the revised agenda and programme of work. (See annex I). III. Summary of deliberations A. Achievements and challenges in the promotion and protection of the rights of people of African descent 9. The Permanent Representative of Brazil delivered a statement on behalf of the Brazilian Minister who is Head of the Secretariat of Policies for the Promotion of Racial Equality (SEPPIR). She reported on Brazil’s advances in addressing the effects of racism on the lives of people of African descent. She noted that despite the advances, racial inequalities persisted which required new efforts to counteract their harmful effects on opportunities for social inclusion. She agreed that “recognition, justice and development” should be the theme for the Decade for People of African Descent, and noted the importance of reaffirming the principles established in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and recognizing racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance as global phenomena. 10. The Permanent Representative stated that in order to challenge the conditions that feed racism and racial discrimination, people of African descent must be able to access power structures and bodies of popular representation. She further suggested that the Working Group include the proposals approved by the Afro XXI meeting, the High Level Ibero-American Summit, held in Brazil in November 2011, as priority areas for the Decade. The proposals include the establishment of a Statistical Data Observatory for People of African Descent in Latin America and the Caribbean and the creation of an “[IberoAmerican] Fund on Behalf of People of African Descent”, based on voluntary 4