E/CN.4/2003/21 page 24 44. The Working Group notes with satisfaction that the General Assembly has proclaimed the year 2004 as the International Year to Commemorate the Struggles against Slavery and its Abolition and recommends that OHCHR organize events on that occasion to honour the memory of people of African descent. It also encourages the General Assembly to adopt a resolution recognizing 21 August as the International Day for Remembrance of Slavery and the Slave Trade, thereby also recognizing their tragic consequences. 45. The Working Group recommends that the Millennium Development Goals be also applied as benchmarks to measure progress regarding the political, economic and social development of people of African descent. Organization of and participation in future sessions of the Working Group 46. In order to ensure the full and equal participation of NGOs of people of African descent in its work, the Working Group recommends that: (a) A voluntary fund be established in accordance with resolution 2002/68 of the Commission on Human Rights to support the participation of NGOs representing people of African descent; and (b) The dates of its sessions, provisional timetables and agenda be published, including on the OHCHR web site, and invitations sent out well in advance of all meetings. 47. The Working Group is of the view that the participation in its meetings of eminent personalities from people of African descent and the international human rights community will enhance the profile of the group and the richness of its studies. It wishes to encourage Governments to include such personalities on their delegations. The Working Group will also take steps to invite such personalities. 48. The Working Group feels strongly that the issues of people of African descent should receive the attention of all stakeholders and intends to generate broad-based support for its work. It would like to encourage all Member States of the United Nations and the specialized agencies, in particular development assistant agencies and international financial institutions, to become more involved in its work. The Working Group is of the view that countries from the Western Group, in particular, have much to contribute by sharing their positive experiences in dealing with issues affecting people of African descent. 49. The Working Group recognizes that people of African descent live disproportionately in extreme poverty as a consequence of past and present racial discrimination. The Working Group intends to keep the issue at the forefront of its future work. 50. The Working Group considers that at a later stage a clearer framework for redress and remedies for past injustices may be disseminated to form a basis for an international political decision. In this regard, the Working Group recommends that OHCHR assist in compiling whatever material is available (papers, etc.) on reparations; the Working Group could evaluate