Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions In relation to strengthening the knowledge of staff, setting up a properly running and adequate information technology infrastructure within the NHRI has also been an important response strategy to ensure that the NHRI is making the most effective use of existing information and communications platforms and portals, as well as streamlining electronic processes to handle data and information. The following strategies and actions have arisen in NHRI CAs: • upgrade existing portals and communication platforms for internal and external communication purposes: internally, staff need updates on management decisions, as well as databases for internal documents such as reports and complaints; externally, the public (and NHRI staff) need to be able to access information on human rights in the international sphere and at the national level including new laws, relevant statistics, treaty body reports, reports from international human rights mechanisms, among others • ensure that the NHRI’s website is regularly updated with reports and activities and is regularly reviewed to ensure its accessibility and usefulness • ensure that information on the NHRI’s website includes disaggregated data about the situations of women and other historically disadvantaged groups • introduce new software to enable electronic management of key NHRI functions to the fullest extent possible, including complaint handling, inspection scheduling and reporting, down to staff movements and administrative and financial processes. 4.6. STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS While the CA assessments have shown the extensive human rights awareness raising work conducted by the NHRIs, human rights advocacy towards government ministries, the parliament, and the judiciary has emerged as an area needing more focus. In response, the following strategies have been presented: • ensure NHRI participation in meetings with key personnel in the relevant government ministries and agencies • hold regular meetings with key committees and individual members of the parliament • identify and engage stakeholders outside the government who have influence on governmental decision making, including faith based and religious groups where relevant. Engagement with civil society organisations (CSOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the media, and human rights defenders has also emerged as an area in which greater focus might yield better overall results for the NHRI. Proposed strategies and actions have included: • build closer and more collaborative links with CSOs and NGOs, including through regular public dialogues on specific issues and broad general annual consultations • engage and collaborate with a wide range of CSOs and NGOs, especially those representing women and members of other historically disadvantaged groups • create opportunities for more regular exchange between government and civil society by convening regular tripartite meetings (NHRI, government and NGOs) to exchange views on critical human rights issues • increase work and collaboration with international human rights mechanisms, particularly the Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review mechanisms of the UN Human Rights Council and the treaty monitoring bodies, where NHRIs have particularly important roles to play • participate in national, regional and international human rights events and meetings to learn about emerging international views and practices that would benefit NHRIs. 48