Annual Report 2012–2013 The APF has produced a training manual and accompanying DVD, Conducting a National Inquiry into Systemic Patterns of Human Rights Violation which draws on the experiences of NHRIs from across the Asia Pacific and the lessons learnt from holding public inquiries into a broad spectrum of issues. During the reporting period the APF conducted a week-long workshop from 1–5 October 2012 for the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives. The training workshop was to assist the Commission to prepare for its forthcoming national inquiry on access to education for children with disabilities. National inquiries training resource. In addition, from 18 February – 15 March 2013, the APF undertook its online component of the blended learning training course on national inquiries. More than 20 representatives from five NHRIs in southeast Asia (Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Timor-Leste) and the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission participated exploring in detail the key steps involved in conducting a successful national inquiry. The online component of the course examined what a national inquiry is; how it can strengthen the work of NHRIs; the process of establishing and running a national inquiry; and follow-up activities that NHRIs can undertake once the national inquiry process has been completed. Online discussions also consider the experiences of NHRIs in the region that have conducted national inquiries, including examples of good practice and different challenges they encountered. The participants who successfully completed the online course were then invited to participate in the face-to-face workshop component, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 8–12 April 2013. The workshop focused on the implementation of the skills learnt in the online component, by working through assignments submitted by NHRI participants. Foundation course for NHRIs From 15 October – 4 November 2012, the APF and the RWI jointly ran an online course for new staff of NHRIs. The aim was to introduce NHRI staff to the history, concept, role and mandates of NHRIs, and to encourage sharing of good practices of NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region. The course was structured into four core modules: • • • • the origin, mandate and concept of NHRIs the advisory and educational mandate of NHRIs the investigative and monitoring mandate of NHRIs, and NHRI engagement with international and regional stakeholders. Thirty-two participants from 16 NHRIs from across the Asia Pacific region participated in the course. In addition to guided readings and video materials, the online course utilised a range of learning activities, including quizzes and assignments, and online discussions aimed at encouraging participants to share their experiences and learn from each other. Participants who completed the online course then went on to participate in a face-to-face training workshop, which was held from 26 November – 5 December 2012 in Bangkok, Thailand. In line with the APF and RWI’s emphasis on blended learning, the online course included assignments that directly linked to sessions held during the face-to-face workshop. The program for the workshop built on the syllabus of the online course, and also included additional thematic sessions exploring human rights issues of concern to many NHRIs in the region, including human rights and business, and the engagement of NHRIs with international human rights mechanisms. Several days were also devoted to presentations by participants, regarding the achievements and challenges of their own NHRI, with the aim of facilitating peer-to-peer learning amongst NHRI staff. The facilitation of the workshop was led by RWI with the participation of the APF for specific topics. 1. Enhance members’ institutional capacity to promote and protect human rights | 13