A/HRC/10/11 page 8 15. In 2008 the independent expert continued her collaboration with UNDP towards a UNDP Guidance/Policy note on minority issues. A UNDP Resource Guide on Minorities in Development was produced in cooperation with OHCHR and following extensive consultations with UNDP country offices and staff. A validation consultation on the draft UNDP Resource Guide on Minorities in Development was subsequently held on 2 and 3 December 2008 in New York to critically review the draft guide. The consultation also sought, inter alia, to share challenges and good practice in addressing minority issues in development, and to further enhance the inclusion of minority issues in UNDP programming. The guide will be finalized by mid-2009. 16. The primary target groups of the proposed Resource Guide are the UNDP country office practitioners and those with policy advisory responsibilities. However, it can also serve as a reference document for other United Nations agencies, government counterparts and other relevant partners. It is hoped that the final product will enable the target group(s) to understand the conceptual issues and fundamental principles relating to the promotion and protection of minorities, learn how to draw on the available international and regional standards to engage minorities in programming processes, influence policy choices, as well as increase their opportunities for meaningful participation and representation in development processes. B. Collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union/United Nations Development Programme on minorities and parliamentary representation 17. The independent expert has highlighted in her country and thematic work the importance of ensuring that minorities are represented in elected bodies at the national and local levels. As a member of the Advisory Group to the joint Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UNDP project entitled “Promoting Inclusive Parliaments: The representation of minorities and indigenous peoples in parliament”, the independent expert has contributed to the development of this ongoing project. This project builds on IPU’s long experience in working to promote inclusiveness in national parliaments, including promoting women’s political participation. The first phase of the project is to gather data on different aspects of inclusiveness in parliament including through a questionnaire survey sent to national parliamentary authorities, parliamentary party groups represented in national parliaments, and individual parliamentarians. C. Collaboration with the Inter-Agency Working Group on Minorities 18. Under the auspices of the OHCHR Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Unit and the independent expert, the Inter-Agency Working Group on Minorities meets regularly to share information about ongoing initiatives relating to minorities. The Inter-Agency Working Group consists of the OHCHR, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, OCHA, UNITAR, ILO, UNCTAD and WHO. A practical outcome of this inter-agency group has been an information note entitled “Towards Developing Country Engagement Strategies on Minorities”, which answers commonly asked questions regarding minorities and identifies possible elements that should be included in strategies to address the situation of minorities in United Nations country programmes. The Inter-Agency Group also offered practical opportunities for sharing of information and discussion including in regard to preparations for the inaugural Forum on Minority Issues.