ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS at this workshop, namely individual action points focusing on smaller scale actions that each participant could undertake within their own spheres of influence to use, share and help institutionalise the knowledge and skills from the training. All participants committed to providing internal training. Several committed to translating the Istanbul Protocol into local languages. There is anecdotal evidence to indicate that the course was highly effective in improving individual investigators practices, as several participants commented in the evaluations that the training made them realise errors in their past practices. The participants had very few suggestions for improving the course other than: making more use of videos at the workshop (rather than during the online course), and using more ‘ice-breakers’ / learning games at the workshop. 7. UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES: ONLINE 23 MARCH-25 APRIL; WORKSHOP, BANGLADESH 4- 8 MAY 2015 Average ratings by the 20 participants (7 female, 13 male) Relevance Overall quality of online course Overall quality of the workshop 4.4/5 4.1/5 4.2/5 Following the 2009 OHCHR meeting on the role of NHRIs in promoting UNDRIP, and in response to its recommendations, the APF developed a manual on the issue, which formed the basis for this pilot-blended learning course. Member institutions whose country contains indigenous peoples (according to the UNDRIP definition) were invited to participate with the core goals of building the capacity of NHRIs to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples and to facilitate increased focus by NHRIs in the region on the rights of indigenous peoples in their work. The lead trainer for the course (and author of the APF manual on the topic) was Mr Andy Gargett of the Australian Human Rights Commission and he was joined by Master Trainer Mr Desigin Thulkanam from the New Zealand Commission. The heavy workload during the online course led to lower than average participation and retention rates and needs to be addressed for future UNDRIP courses. There were also significant issues with the workshop venue, which demonstrated the value of having a fit for purpose venue for all future courses. Nonetheless, the course can certainly be deemed a success with positive feedback received for both the online and workshop elements of the course. Of particular note 40 were the contributions made by external speakers Devasish Roy (UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and Mika Kanervavouri (OHCHR). The workshop facilitated extensive information sharing and peer to peer networking that has since led to the creation of two online forums for future exchanges. The workshop also led to a widely accepted new understanding of Indigenous Rights which participants felt capable of integrating into the work of their institutions. 8. HUMAN RIGHTS AND BUSINESS REGIONAL BLENDED-LEARNING COURSE: ONLINE 16 MARCH-10 APRIL, WORKSHOP IN BANGKOK FROM 5-7 MAY 2015. This blended-learning course was offered jointly by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) and the APF, with the former taking primary responsibility for course content development and training. The course was offered to APF members because NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region have over a number of years identified business and human rights as a key strategic priority and a ‘high’ training need. The DIHR is widely considered to be an international leader in the area of business and human rights, and the most experienced NHRI with expertise on the subject. Both trainers were DIHR staff and female. The online course was run from 16 March-10 April from the DIHR’s own online learning environment, while the workshop took place from 5-7 May in Bangkok. 20 participants (11 male and 9 female) from 18 APF member NHRIs from across the AsiaPacific participated in the course. The evaluation data has been provided to the APF in a different format so no direct comparisons are possible with the scores of other APF courses, but from the high percentages and participants comments it would appear that both the online and workshop were appreciated by participants and very successful in providing participants with an understanding of the key concepts underpinning NHRIs work in the area of business and human rights. Several participants appreciated the flexibility of online learning, while others commented on the expertise of the trainers. Lessons learnt / areas for further improvement would include: reducing the speed of presentations, limiting use of technical language, and more group work to reinforce learning.