E/CN.4/2003/21 page 7 31. The observer for Brazil shared detailed information about affirmative-action programmes in Brazil in such areas as admittance to undergraduate and graduate schools, entrance to the foreign service as well as diplomatic postings, and in the government tendering process. He submitted that these programmes could serve as effective good practices in addressing some of the issues facing people of African descent. He stated that the idea of an international ombudsman regarding people of African descent was a proposal worth further consideration. 32. The observer for China stated that while slavery and the slave trade in effect contributed to the prosperity of the countries involved, people of African descent continued to be marginalized in many ways. He added that effective proposals were necessary to correct the unfavourable situation in which many people of African descent found themselves. He stated that it would be useful to look into the possibility of a voluntary fund to assist the participation of people of African descent in the Working Group. 33. The observer for Costa Rica pointed to the increased need for the political participation of people of African descent in society and that more time and study should be given to this issue by the Working Group. He stated that it was good to ensure substantive linkages to the Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance so that the Working Group maintained them as a focus in its work. He also supported the idea of a voluntary fund for the participation of African-descent non-governmental organizations in the Working Group as it would ensure that broader views were brought to the group. 34. The observer for Cuba stated that he regretted that the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent did not have an expert from the Western Group, and he recommended that the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights use his prerogative to designate a “roster expert” from that region. He underscored the importance of a fund to assist representatives of Afro-descendants’ communities to participate in the future Working Group sessions, saying that a voluntary fund would encourage broad-based and long-term participation. He emphasized the importance of access to post-secondary education as a solution to some of the problems facing people of African descent, and the indivisibility of all human rights - economic, social, political and civil as well as the right to food and adequate housing. 35. The observer for Nigeria (on behalf of the African Group) stated that, in studying the issues of people of African descent, the Working Group should consider the provisions of paragraphs 157 and 158 concerning “effective remedies, recourse, redress and other measures at the national, regional and international levels” contained in the Programme of Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. 36. The observer for South Africa stated that the Working Group should consider the concept of education and the human rights of people of African descent as it is articulated in the Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Conference. 37. The observer for the International Federation of University Women underscored the importance of studying the links between health, human rights and racial discrimination. She added that poor women of African descent were disproportionately affected and that their issues must be given greater attention.