A/HRC/19/56 needs and take necessary steps towards the full realization of their minority rights. Importantly they should be active in their efforts to participate effectively in political life at both national and local levels. 42. The independent expert, therefore, recognizes and applauds the work of grass-roots organizations and individuals in every region of the world working with and on behalf of disadvantaged minority communities to protect and promote their rights. She emphasizes that such NGOs frequently work in difficult circumstances and lack capacity and financial and human resources. Nevertheless many such organizations and individuals have achieved significant and concrete improvements affecting the lives of persons belonging to minorities in positive and very practical ways which should be given greater visibility and potentially employed as positive models for other communities worldwide where similar challenges exist. 43. In the course of her work the independent expert will seek to engage systematically and substantively with grass-roots minority rights organizations in every region in order to learn from and support their vital work. Grass-roots organizations frequently engage in creative and innovative activities with minority communities and also with majority communities to ensure enjoyment of rights, establish dialogue, build understanding and trust between people, and confront discrimination and exclusion. Pursuing efforts to identify positive practices as required by her mandate, the independent expert will seek to learn about and catalogue the programmes, practices and initiatives of grass-roots NGOs that have had a positive impact on the rights of persons belonging to minorities and in breaking down barriers between communities. Such practices will be made available on the website of the independent expert and may serve to inspire others working in the field of minority issues. The independent expert will create a page on her website in order to showcase the positive work and impact of grass-roots organizations. 44. Recognizing that globally some minorities have been relatively successful in organizing and mobilizing themselves in order to claim their rights in comparison to others, the independent expert considers it important to develop a greater understanding of how minorities organize and become successful in mobilizing for change at the national and international levels and implement successful advocacy strategies. More studies should look into these opportunities and experiences and the independent expert will pay special attention to such analyses. Minority communities that have established NGOs are frequently more successful at advocating for change, are better equipped to engage local and national government and are able to benefit from funding and support from national and external sources. H. Increased outreach and networking with minority groups 45. The independent expert wishes to expand the group of minority activists and experts cooperating with her mandate and providing information to it. Building on the work of her predecessor she will seek to develop and update the civil society database of OHCHR with national organizations working in the area of minority rights and with minority communities, including those in countries in which official visits have been undertaken. This will enhance the independent expert’s ability to maintain regular channels of communication with such actors and provide advisory and other services to them and to assist them with their access to her mandate, other relevant special procedures mandates, treaty bodies and other human rights bodies and mechanisms that are relevant to work on minority issues and country situations involving minorities. 46. She is supportive of efforts to establish a global network or caucus of minorities that will serve to establish communications links between diverse minorities and minority rights focused on NGOs from all regions and facilitate the sharing of information on a systematic basis between minorities, and between the United Nations and minority groups. A 12