A/HRC/4/109 page 4 B. Charter-based mechanisms dealing with minority issues 10. The Working Group on Minorities was established in 1995 pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/31 with a threefold mandate: to review the promotion and practical realization of the Declaration; to examine possible solutions to problems involving minorities, including the promotion of mutual understanding between and among minorities and Governments; and to recommend further measures, as appropriate, for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities. 11. The Commission on Human Rights, in its resolution 2005/79, commended the role of the Working Group on Minorities as a forum for dialogue with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and affirmed the importance of retaining such a forum on this thematic issue for examining solutions to problems involving minorities. It amended the mandate of the Working Group and decided that at its annual sessions it should focus its work on interactive dialogue with NGOs and on conceptual support to and dialogue with the independent expert (para. 9). 12. In accordance with the same resolution, the mandate of the independent expert on minority issues was established for two years with the mandate (a) to promote the implementation of the Minorities Declaration; (b) to identify best practices and possibilities for technical cooperation by OHCHR at the request of Governments; (c) to apply a gender perspective in his/her work; (d) to cooperate closely with relevant United Nations bodies, mandates and mechanisms as well as regional organizations; and (e) to take into account the views of NGOs on matters pertaining to the mandate. The independent expert was requested to submit annual reports including recommendations for effective strategies for the better implementation of minority rights. On 29 July 2005, the High Commissioner for Human Rights appointed Gay McDougall (United States of America) as independent expert on minority issues. 1. Working Group on Minorities Promotion of dialogue and mutual understanding 13. One of the challenges faced by the United Nations is to provide a space for representatives of civil society from all parts of the world to speak in international forums, to raise issues with experts and have direct contact with government representatives. 14. The Working Group on Minorities has provided an annual venue for examining possible solutions to problems involving minorities, including for the promotion of mutual understanding between and among minorities and Governments. It offers the only space within the United Nations for minority representatives to engage directly in a dialogue and consultation with Governments on these matters in an international setting. Participation in the meetings of the Working Group is open to minority representation at the community and grass-roots levels and, unlike some other forums, there is no requirement that only representatives of international NGOs may speak at these meetings. 15. Minority representatives, in their assessments of the impact of their participation in the Working Group, have stated that it has led to improved dialogue with the authorities in their