Part II National human rights institutions’ domestic activities and functions NHRIs should be aware that their training programmes may be perceived by public officials as an outside interference in their work and provided without the necessary context or background. To combat potential resistance, NHRIs will benefit from engaging with the leadership of State institutions. Receiving endorsement and support for training programmes from an organization’s hierarchy will provide the necessary legitimacy to encourage behavioural change within the organization. This high-level buyin is also necessary because if the leadership of the State institution is not genuine about protecting, promoting and realizing indigenous peoples’ human rights, it is unlikely that training will be supported or effective. It is important that NHRIs are strategic in the design and delivery of training programmes. In developing, revising or delivering training products, NHRIs should ensure that their materials are focused on practical, operational issues. In instances where a training programme is likely to receive a high level of resistance, it might be preferable for the NHRI to develop the content for the training programme and allow it to be internally delivered.196 Alternatively, it might be preferable for the NHRI to develop train-the-trainer materials and programmes, which can also be effective in stretching limited financial and human resources. 3. UNDERTAKING PROMOTIONAL AND EDUCATIVE ACTIVITIES 3.1. HOW CAN NHRIs ACHIEVE THEIR AWARENESS RAISING AND EDUCATIVE MANDATES? An effective campaign should have an agreed communication strategy, a specific objective and a clear message. NHRIs should have a broad range of research and education materials on human rights available for dissemination. These materials can contain information on: • The role, function and activities of the NHRI • International human rights standards and instruments • The State’s relationship with human rights standards and instruments • State reports to treaty bodies • Domestic human rights legislation • Judicial decisions relating to human rights • Domestic and international mechanisms for human rights protection • Research undertaken by the NHRI on specific human rights issues • Information regarding complaints mechanisms and avenues for redress for violations of human rights, including those contained in the Declaration. NHRIs should have a human rights education plan, which should link to the strategic plan and annual activity plan of the NHRI. There is a range of public education activities that NHRIs can undertake. This includes seminars, workshops and professional training sessions, either for the general population or specific groups. Education initiatives targeted at a wider audience can include the development of school and university curricula for human rights, national media campaigns and human rights publications. 196 APF, Association for the Prevention of Torture and OHCHR, Preventing Torture: An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions (2010), p. 56. Chapter 7: Awareness raising and education 63