A/HRC/4/109 page 7 26. Given the importance of strengthening cooperation between various mandates and the complementary aspects of their work, the Working Group on Minorities, at its twelfth session in 2006, proposed a two-year programme of work, drawn up jointly with the independent expert, which would include the organization of a series of regional seminars on the application of integration with diversity in policing, security and criminal justice, and the preparation of three thematic studies: on positive country experiences in self-government for minorities; on ways and means of strengthening the application of the Minorities Declaration; and on double discrimination against women belonging to minorities (see A/HRC/Sub.1/58/19). III. THE WORK OF THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 27. OHCHR presented a Plan of Action in May 2005 (A/59/2005/Add.3, annex) setting out the vision for the future work of the Office, which identified non-discrimination, equality and the protection of specific groups such as minorities as being at the core of its mandate. It was proposed that the leadership, capacity and activities of OHCHR should be enhanced in the sphere of equality, non-discrimination and the promotion and protection of the rights of marginalized groups, in particular through the mainstreaming of human rights in the work of the United Nations and the development of more focused and realistic country engagement strategies and closer partnerships with civil society. Additionally, OHCHR services the mandates of the Working Group on Minorities and the independent expert on minority issues. Further information is contained in the reports on the eleventh and twelfth sessions of the Working Group on Minorities (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2005/27 and A/HRC/Sub.1/58/19) and the reports of the independent expert on minority issues (E/CN.4/2006/74 and A/HRC/4/9 and addenda). 28. Regional or subregional meetings organized by OHCHR and the Working Group on Minorities have played an important role in identifying problems and areas for United Nations action on minority issues and situations. Moreover, the regional consultations of human rights presences of OHCHR have identified efforts to combat discrimination and exclusion of particular groups such as minorities as a specific area requiring further action. In August 2006 a needs assessment mission was undertaken to Nepal with a view to assisting the OHCHR office there in developing its programmes and activities for combating the social exclusion of Dalits, indigenous peoples, and ethnic and religious minorities, and particularly in addressing the situation of women belonging to these communities. Various issues were raised including with respect to improving access to justice for all sectors of the population. 29. United Nations organizations can contribute to policies and programmes addressing the economic, political or social exclusion of persons belonging to minorities. A common understanding and a consolidated approach across the United Nations system for promoting and protecting minority rights are needed to fulfil the rights contained in the Minorities Declaration. Reaffirmation of the central principles to minority rights, i.e. the right to existence, plural identities, participation and non-discrimination, is key to developing a common understanding of work on minority issues and meeting the challenge of integrating minority issues not only into human rights work, but also in the work of the United Nations on development, peace and security. OHCHR currently supports training on minority issues and strengthening of thematic expertise so that it is better placed to give advice on non-discrimination and minority issues in the work of the United Nations, including in the context of staffing of country and regional offices.