Part III Human rights education in practice
Writing effective outcomes can take time, particularly if they are being written collaboratively with
participants and stakeholders. A commonly used tool for developing quality outcomes is “SMARTA”
which identifies six key elements to consider.
SPECIFIC
Is the particular impact or result you are trying to achieve, clear?
MEASURABLE
Is it possible to assess whether you are making progress toward the outcome
and whether you have reached the outcome?
ACHIEVABLE
Is the outcome realistic with the available resources, expertise and time?
RELEVANT
Is the outcome appropriate and acceptable to, and shared by, priority
stakeholder groups? Will it achieve the result/impact sought?
TIMEBOUND
Does the outcome include a realistic and achievable timeframe?
ACCOUNTABLE
Have those responsible for achieving this outcome been identified?
6.3.1. Developing indicators110
Once the outcomes have been finalized, it is important to develop a way to measure whether the
outcomes have been achieved. In the models above, for example, how can it be shown that the NHRI
has achieved its gender mainstreaming outcomes or that the NHRI’s activities with the school has
resulted in bullying being addressed and reduced.
A useful way to do this is by using indicators. Indicators are measures or markers that give information
about how well the activity is progressing toward its outcomes. Indicators should not be complex. They
are simple and tangible measures.
There are two main types of indicators: qualitative and quantitative.
Qualitative indicators will measure people’s experiences, opinions, judgements or viewpoints. In
relation to human rights education activities, examples of qualitative indicators could be:
• participant group feedback about a human rights education workshop
• the feasibility of human rights action plans developed as part of a community development
programme
• the content of public comments on a youth rights website
• the type of organizations involved in a disability rights network.
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Video (2017) Understanding Indicators in 7 Quick Chapters. Available online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=pswhgh4u-Gg.
Chapter 6: Planning and designing human rights education | 57