E/CN.4/2003/21 page 23 36. The Working Group notes that the linkages between slavery, colonialism and underdevelopment should be studied and that their ramifications for people of African descent should be taken into account in development policies. In this regard, the Working Group also encourages Governments in the affected regions to use regional arrangements and organizations such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) as a means of addressing the effects of underdevelopment, which tend disproportionately to impact people of African descent. 37. The Working Group takes note of the work currently being undertaken by the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank with regard to people of African descent. The Working Group encourages other international financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Asian Development Bank, to do the same. 38. The Working Group recommends that Mr. Doudou Diène, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance of the Commission on Human Rights, continue to pay particular attention to the situation of people of African descent and to strengthen his relationship with the Working Group and to provide it with relevant information that he might gather during his various country visits. 39. Governments should allocate part of their national budget to programmes or projects to improve the economic and social conditions of people of African descent. International financial and development institutions should ensure that funds allocated to such projects benefit these communities directly; priority should be given to reducing the poverty of people of African descent. 40. The Working Group notes with appreciation that some States have declared slavery a crime against humanity and have expressed regret for their colonial policies that contributed to the scourges of slavery and the slave trade, and encourages other States and institutions to consider taking similar action. 41. The Working Group commends the Government of Brazil for its courageous efforts to address racial discrimination affecting Afro-Brazilians, in particular, and for its full disclosure of the socio-economic disadvantages faced by people of African descent and encourages other concerned Governments to follow the same path. 42. The Working Group appeals to the United Nations to consider declaring an international decade for people of African descent as soon as possible in order to sensitize the international community and the citizens of Member States to the situation of these people. 43. The Working Group recommends that a fellowship programme be established by OHCHR with a gender and regional balance (similar to that established for Indigenous Fellows) for young people of African descent in order that they may gain first-hand experience about international human rights law, international human rights mechanisms and the United Nations system.