Annual Report 2013–2014 This approach allows participants to explore core human rights concepts in detail over an extended period of time, to raise questions directly with the trainers and to discuss issues with colleagues from other NHRIs. It also offers participants flexibility in how they learn and ensures there is greater opportunity for detailed and practical discussions during the face-to-face workshops. The online training program presents key information in a variety of ways, including through set readings, discussion topics, quizzes and video webinars. Up to 30 participants take part in each course. They are expected to contribute to weekly online discussions and to submit regular assignments. To date, the APF has delivered the following training programs online: • Prevention of torture • Foundation course for NHRIs • National inquiries • Training-of-trainers, and • Migrant workers. The APF’s online training programs are directly coordinated by the APF through its own virtual learning environment (VLE). In early 2013 the APF launched a new Arabic interface for the VLE which will enable all of the APF’s existing training programs to be run in Arabic. There were 5,473 visits to the APF’s VLE and 30,284 page views during 2013–2014. This compares with 4,693 visits and 27,590 page views in the previous year. National inquiries training NHRIs have used national inquiries to place a broad range of issues at the centre of public attention, including among others, human rights and mental illness (Australia); the right to food (India); the land rights of Indigenous peoples (Malaysia); freedom from torture (Mongolia); and accessible public transport for people with disabilities (New Zealand). National inquiries training resource. The APF, in partnership with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute for Humanitarian Law (RWI), undertakes training for APF member institutions on running effective national inquiries. The training provides NHRI representatives with a step-by-step understanding of the process of establishing and conducting a national inquiry. The training covers a range of practical issues, such as: • selecting the inquiry subject • setting the terms of reference • appointing the inquiry team • collecting evidence • engaging the media, and • planning follow-up activities to promote inquiry findings and advocate for recommendations. 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. These five-day courses are a joint initiative of the APF and the RWI. They explore the practical steps involved in establishing and running an effective national inquiry for each of the participating NHRIs. The program includes sessions on selecting the inquiry subject, appointing the inquiry team, the role of the media, holding public hearings, developing recommendations, writing the report, and planning followup activities to advocate for the inquiry’s recommendations. 1. Enhance members’ institutional capacity | 9