A/HRC/19/56 52. The independent expert encourages all United Nations Member States to consider undertaking activities in their countries and regions to mark the 20th anniversary and to promote awareness of the United Nations Declaration amongst minority communities and within wider society generally. Such activities could include the establishment of a national day for minorities during which the cultures and traditions of minority groups are celebrated and the contributions of minorities to society through history and in the present day are highlighted. Initiatives in the field of education and information for young people from all communities could also be envisaged. 53. During the course of 2012 the independent expert looks forward to participating in a variety of events to mark the 20th anniversary. Among these events will be a series of subregional conferences organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and hosted by some of its regional offices.5 These events will seek to bring together a variety of stakeholders from the regions in question including representatives of national Governments, civil society actors working in the field of minority rights, and regional staff from OHCHR and United Nations specialized agencies. The events will promote awareness of the Declaration and consider specific issues most relevant to minorities in the region in question. Regional events will also provide a valuable opportunity for the independent expert and OHCHR to deliver the recommendations of the Forum on Minority Issues and other relevant recommendations, guidelines and resources to decision makers and stakeholders in a sub-regional context. V. Report on activities of the former independent expert, Gay McDougall (11 December to 31 July 2011) 54. The former independent expert continued her work to promote implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities through a range of activities until the end of her tenure as mandate holder. She conducted extensive consultations with regard to all elements of her mandate. She has attended expert seminars and conferences, convened consultations, engaged with States, Specialized Agencies, bodies and mechanisms of the United Nations system and regional intergovernmental organizations. She has consulted widely with civil society and directly with minority communities. 55. On 7 March 2011, the former independent expert participated in a day of thematic discussion in the context of the International Year for People of African Descent 2011, organized by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) on racial discrimination against peoples of African descent and delivered a statement to the event. The objective of the event was to enhance understanding of the causes and consequences of racial discrimination against people of African descent through an exchange of relevant information and an examination of the advances, challenges and lessons learned in this regard. Ms. McDougall addressed the event as part of a panel on the subject of “People of African descent and the international human rights mechanisms: challenges and accomplishments”. The day of thematic discussion resulted in the drafting of general recommendation No. 34 on racial discrimination against people of African descent. 56. The former independent expert visited Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 21 and 22 June 2011 to participate in a regional event “Advancing the rights of minorities in Central Asia”, organized by the regional Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bishkek. The event had a particular focus on effective participation in public life and brought together representatives from the Governments and civil society of Kazakhstan, 5 14 At the time of drafting the locations of the sub-regional events and participation of OHCHR offices were yet to be confirmed.