Part II National human rights institutions’ domestic activities and functions 3.2. DISSEMINATION A dissemination strategy is crucial for the effective and efficient use of information produced by the NHRI. Dissemination can be targeted to a wide variety of audiences – including government departments, NGOs, the general public and indigenous peoples – so it is important that the strategy is audience-specific. Once the target audience has been established, the NHRI must identify appropriate opportunities for dissemination. Both general and specialized media are useful vehicles for dissemination. However, widespread distribution should also utilize existing services and networks, such as schools, universities, libraries, government offices, community organizations, peak and representative bodies and indigenous peoples’ organizations.198 DoCip In 1978, a document information centre known as doCip was created at the request of the indigenous delegations participating in the first international conference of NGOs on indigenous issues held at the United Nations. As an information centre, doCip: … publishes a quarterly Update on the main international processes on Indigenous issues. The Update includes summaries of statements, agendas, report presentations, statements by Indigenous Peoples and announcements. It is published in four languages and allows everyone to be equally informed, which is essential for reaching a consensus. Sends collective messages to 2,500 indigenous addresses when urgent news cannot await publication in the Update. DoCip also keeps its website upto-date and answers all other requests for information.198 The doCip website contains an extensive collection of historically important international documents for indigenous organizations and documentation from relevant international forums. NHRIs can utilize the resources published on the website and promote its use by indigenous peoples and their organizations within their jurisdiction. Promotional events play an important role in raising public awareness of human rights and giving NHRIs a community presence. NHRIs should not limit themselves to one type of event and should consider what events best suit their target audiences. There may also be opportunities to collaborate with existing community initiatives or programmes. Promotional events may include: • Human rights-themed events aimed at school-age children, such as drawing or photography competitions • University lectures and other higher education events • Public events to celebrate significant dates, such as the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration (13 September) and International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9 August) • Human rights awards and prizes • The launch of key publications • Human rights-themed art or music competitions. Indigenous peoples’ organizations and peak bodies will be essential conduits to disseminate products and information produced by NHRIs to indigenous peoples and communities. 198 More information is available at www.docip.org/About-doCip.4.0.html. Chapter 7: Awareness raising and education 65