A/HRC/9/9 page 4 the former mandate-holder, Professor Rodolfo Stavenhagen. The Special Rapporteur will aim to carry out his work with a view to providing continuity to the achievements and following up on the challenges of the last seven years with a deep sense of humility and purpose. I. SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES A. Activities carried out by the Special Rapporteur 6. Since the Special Rapporteur assumed his mandate on 1 May 2008, he has engaged in an initial dialogue with representatives of several Governments, indigenous peoples’ organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as with individual experts and members of the United Nations secretariat and bodies, including the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and with representatives of specialized agencies, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank. 7. Following the initiative of the President of the Constitutional Assembly of Ecuador and of various indigenous organizations, and as part of the programme of technical assistance by UNDP in the country, the Special Rapporteur visited Ecuador from 28 to 29 May 2008, with a view to contributing to the ongoing debates in the country regarding the process of constitutional review. During his working visit, the Special Rapporteur had the opportunity to engage in a constructive dialogue with members of the Constitutional Assembly, experts, and representatives of indigenous organizations and of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE). The Special Rapporteur submitted a number of observations to the Government regarding some of the issues raised during his working visit, in light of the relevant international norms (see A/HRC/9/9/Add.1). B. Future activities 8. From 14 to 25 August 2008, the Special Rapporteur will undertake an official visit to Brazil, within the framework of the Government’s open invitation to United Nations special procedures and at the request of several indigenous organizations. In addition, the Special Rapporteur is currently engaged in a dialogue with the Government of Nepal concerning the possibility of conducting an official mission to the country in the upcoming months, as well as with other Governments, including those of the Russian Federation, Indonesia and the Republic of the Congo. 9. Following a recommendation of the Permanent Forum, the Special Rapporteur, together with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, will participate in an Asia-Pacific regional NGO consultation on “Violence against indigenous women in Asia-Pacific”. The consultation is being organized by the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development and will be held in New Delhi on 15 and 16 October 2008. 10. With a view to improving the effectiveness of and coordination between the existing bodies within the United Nations system with specific mandates on the rights of indigenous peoples, the Special Rapporteur is assisting with the organization of a working meeting with