A/HRC/24/49 34. The Chairperson-Rapporteur referred to the work completed by the Expert Mechanism to date, in terms of how it supports the Alta Outcome Document, which, in turn, builds on the Declaration. He outlined, as an example, the way in which the Expert Mechanism and others can effectively contribute to the advancement of the human rights of indigenous peoples through collaboration leading up to the World Conference. 35. Participants expressed support for the Alta Outcome Document and the recommendations of the Indigenous Global Coordinating Group and called upon States to engage indigenous peoples in constructive dialogue at the national level. Several indigenous people’s representatives made recommendations concerning the need for the full, effective and equal participation and consultation of indigenous peoples through all stages of the process, including in the development of the action-oriented outcome document of the World Conference. Participants also emphasized the need to ensure the equal participation of indigenous women, youth and persons with disabilities. Many participants voiced the importance of ensuring the availability of sufficient financial resources to enable such participation and recommended different forms of participation, including webcasting. Numerous States acknowledged the Alta Outcome Document, noting that it would be considered in the preparation for the World Conference. 36. Ms. Lasimbang emphasized the need to explore technical, financial and political support to facilitate the participation of indigenous peoples in the World Conference and urged that local and national activities to be undertaken with the aim of raising awareness and fostering understanding of the issues of indigenous peoples. Such activities should focus on the themes set out in the Alta Outcome Document. Mr. Deterville also highlighted that the Alta Outcome Document has been introduced as an official document of the sixth session of the Expert Mechanism. V. Follow-up to thematic studies and advice 37. Mr. Titus introduced the agenda item on the follow-up to thematic studies and advice, underscoring that the mechanism’s studies constitute an authoritative interpretation of the human rights of indigenous peoples. He added that the studies and advice are grounded in binding international human rights norms as applied to indigenous peoples, including the Declaration. He noted the direct relationship between the right of selfdetermination and the full enjoyment of the rights of indigenous peoples. 38. The Expert Mechanism heard how States, indigenous peoples, national human rights institutions and other stakeholders have used the mechanism’s studies and advice to further the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, more specifically under four thematic areas: indigenous peoples’ right to education; languages and culture; the right to participate in decision-making; and the right to participate in decision-making with a focus on extractive industries. Participants shared good practices, lessons learned and challenges to achieving the rights of indigenous peoples in these thematic areas. Interventions highlighted, inter alia, the role of United Nations agencies in disseminating the mechanism’s studies and advice at the country level and the importance of training government officials on the rights of indigenous peoples. 39. Participants referred to the Expert Mechanism’s study on lessons learned and challenges to achieving the right to education of indigenous peoples and highlighted a range of concerns ranging from the importance of teaching indigenous histories and cultures in educational institutions and curricula to the protection of educational facilities in militarized indigenous territories. Some participants called for, inter alia, the establishment of adult educational institutions that focus on the maintenance, transmission and development of 10