Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions • a project on education access for children with learning disabilities by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia and a national inquiry on the same topic by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives • formulation of an action plan in the conduct of a national inquiry on the right to health and education of Indigenous peoples by the Philippines Commission on Human Rights • the creation of an effective media strategy by the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice of Timor-Leste. Further details of the APF’s training activities are set out below. Blended learning Since 2009, the APF has delivered its core training programs online as an integral part of our training strategy. The courses use a blended learning approach, which includes an introductory online program, usually run over five to six weeks, followed by a face-to-face workshop for participants who successfully complete the online component. 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 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’ rights. The APF’s online training programs are directly coordinated by the APF through its own virtual learning environment. In early 2013 the APF launched a new Arabic interface for the learning environment which will enable all of the APF’s existing training programs to be run in Arabic. National inquiries 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). The APF, in partnership with the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (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. 12 | 1. Enhance members’ institutional capacity to promote and protect human rights