This group merits particular attention as its members are not always described as HRDs and they themselves may not use the term “human rights” in a description of their work, focusing instead on terms such as “health”, “housing” or “development” which reflect their area of activity. Indeed, many of these activities in support of human rights are described in general terms as development action. Many NGOs and United Nations bodies fall within these categories. Their work, as much as that of other HRDs, is central to respect for and protection and achievement of human rights standards, and they need and deserve the protection given to their activities by the Declaration on HRDs. grou inter wor vary back with insta sect 9. 1. Human rights education and training Further action of significance undertaken by HRDs is the provision of human rights education. In some instances, education activities take the form of training for the application of human rights standards in the context of a professional activity, for example by judges, lawyers, police officers, soldiers or human rights monitors. In other instances, education may be broader and involve teaching about human rights in schools and universities or disseminating information on human rights standards to the general public or to vulnerable populations. In summary, the gathering and dissemination of information, advocacy and mobilization of public opinion are often the most common tools used by HRDs in their work. As outlined in this section, however, they also provide information to empower or train others. They actively participate in the provision of the material means necessary to make human rights a reality – building shelter, providing food, strengthening development, etc. They work on democratic transformation in order to increase the participation of people in the decisionmaking that shapes their lives and to strengthen good governance. They also contribute to the improvement of social, political and economic conditions, the reduction of social and political tensions, the building of peace, domestically and internationally, and the nurturing of national and international awareness of human rights. B. Who can be a human rights defender? There is no specific definition of who is or can be a human rights defender. The Declaration on HRDs refers to “individuals, groups and associations … contributing to … the effective elimination of all violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of peoples and individuals” 4 invo righ omb righ wor esse orga righ their “dev the w as H of i deve sala capa Typi prov but c