CERD/C/GC/34 44. Promote awareness among members of the communities of people of African descent of the importance of their active participation in public and political life and eliminate obstacles to such participation. 45. Take all necessary steps, including special measures, to secure equal opportunities for participation of people of African descent in all central and local government bodies. 46. Organize training programmes to improve the political policymaking and public administration skills of public officials and political representatives who belong to communities of people of African descent. X. Access to citizenship 47. Ensure that legislation regarding citizenship and naturalization does not discriminate against people of African descent and pay sufficient attention to possible barriers to naturalization that may exist for long-term or permanent residents of African descent. 48. Recognize that deprivation of citizenship on the basis of race or descent is a breach of States parties’ obligation to ensure non-discriminatory enjoyment of the right to nationality. 49. Take into consideration that, in some cases, denial of citizenship for long-term or permanent residents could result in the creation of disadvantage for the people affected in terms of access to employment and social benefits, in violation of the Convention’s antidiscrimination principles. XI. Economic, social and cultural rights 50. Take steps to remove all obstacles that prevent the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights by people of African descent especially in the areas of education, housing, employment and health. 51. Take measures to eradicate poverty among communities of people of African descent within particular States parties’ territories and combat the social exclusion or marginalization often experienced by people of African descent. 52. Design, adopt and implement plans and programmes of economic and social development on an equal and non-discriminatory basis. 53. Take measures to eliminate discrimination against people of African descent in relation to working conditions and work requirements including employment rules and practices that may have discriminatory purposes or effects. 54. Work with intergovernmental organizations, including international financial institutions, to ensure that development or assistance projects which they support take into account the economic and social situation of people of African descent. 55. Ensure equal access to health care and social security services for people of African descent. 56. Involve people of African descent in designing and implementing health-based programmes and projects. 57. Design and implement programmes aimed at creating opportunities for the general empowerment of people of African descent. 6