2.3 Establish roles including the place of your NHRI By now you will have begun to get a good understanding of the community, its dynamics and what it is concerned about. Hopefully community members at all levels are recognising that you are engaging with them as a partner who can support them with their concerns, not as a ‘top-down’ organisation that believes it knows what is best for the community. At this stage you are looking for a high level of community interest in, commitment to, and ownership of the activity. When you believe the community, and your NHRI, are ready to take the next step toward a communityled planning process, meet again with your joint leaders. This meeting is to formally establish the partnership – including what roles you each will play. There may even be a public event to mark the beginning of the partnership. Occasion of the first engagement between the Higaonon, Agusan del Sur, and the Commissions of the Philippines and Aotearoa New Zealand. (Photo by J Chrisp) APF HRCLD Guide 37