E/CN.4/2006/19 page 26 measures being adopted and the implementation of recommendations benefiting people of African descent; (e) Enhancing functional linkages with the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and with the Group of Independent Eminent Experts to foster a common and streamlined Durban follow-up agenda. IV. Modalities of Action 5. The methods of work developed by the Working Group include the following: (a) Annual sessions based on a thematic approach to discuss specific subjects/topics relevant to the situation of people of African descent and Africans in all parts of the world; (b) Country visits upon the invitation of Governments, in order to facilitate in-depth understanding of the situation of people of African descent in various regions of the world, and to collect and promote good practices. A. Annual sessions 6. The Working Group will continue holding its annual sessions around specific themes relevant to the situation of people of African descent, while consistently relying on the provisions contained in the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. 7. The good practices collected during country visits will inform the discussion during the annual sessions and establish the platform for a more comprehensive debate on how these practices could be adopted and replicated in policies of other countries. 8. The Working Group will complement information gathered first-hand through on-site visits with data provided by States, intergovernmental organizations, national human rights institutions and different civil-society actors on specific issues, measures and programmes concerning people of African descent. B. Country visits 9. The focus of the visits will combine an all-encompassing approach with a “core theme” approach. 10. An all-encompassing approach would allow for a holistic analysis of the situation of people of African descent in a given country. A “core-theme” approach founded on a thematic focus while undertaking country visits could also enable the Working Group to identify patterns, policies and programmes in specific areas, their effectiveness and/or shortcomings, and enable the mechanism to identify and discuss good practices. In this regard, the Working Group has decided not only to consider general manifestations of racism, racial discrimination and