A/HRC/24/52 73. Through intercultural education, dialogue and awareness-raising measures help the elimination of sociocultural ideas inherited from the period of slavery and colonialism. 74. The historical acknowledgement of people of African descent in global development has been characterized by the iconic status of some of the heroes and heroines and the development of tangible sites of memory to represent the other side of the intangible heritage of people of African descent. However, there are varying views and a gap in terms of the identification of many such heroes and, more importantly, heroines that have also contributed to the recognition of people of African descent. 2. Recommendations 75. In recognition of the contribution of the continent of Africa and people of African descent to the development, diversity and richness of world civilizations and cultures which constitute the common heritage of humankind, States should, in collaboration with relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, particularly the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and international donors: (a) Promote and protect the culture, identity and tangible and intangible heritage of the continent of Africa and people of African descent, and keep, maintain and foster their mode of life and forms of organization, languages and religious expressions; (b) Set up research programmes and circulate information to deconstruct the (mis)representation of people of African descent; (c) Increase the visibility and recognition of people of African descent and the continent of Africa contributions to their respective societies and to global development; promote research on past and present conditions of people of African descent and compile existing information on their contribution to their respective societies in order to foster the development of intercultural society from a democratic perspective, recognizing diversity and promoting knowledge and understanding of the causes and consequences of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia; (d) Support radio, television and Internet programmes about history and cultures of people of African descent and promote more positive and inclusive representations which increase their visibility within society and challenge negative stereotypes and resultant discrimination; (e) Celebrate the richness and creativity in all forms of artistic expressions by people of African descent; (f) Consider proclaiming a national day in countries that do not yet have such a day, in order to celebrate the heritage, culture and contribution to the world of people of African descent; (g) Put in place measures and procedures to prevent the media from perpetuating negative stereotypes; (h) Promote within the United Nations system, especially through the annual reports of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UNESCO and UNDP, the theme of people of African descent for the next year. 76. The Working Group and UNESCO should work together to ensure that the general history of African and People of African descent is promoted among Africans during the International Decade. The Working Group will continue to strengthen its relationship with academia on the situation of people of African descent. 17