Foreword To claim their rights and seek redress for violations, people first need to understand their rights. To properly respect, protect and fulfil the rights of those within their borders, agencies of the State and other duty bearers need training and professional development. Human rights education is essential to the long-term prevention of human rights abuses. It is a powerful investment in the development of a strong human rights culture and, ultimately, in fairer and more just societies. National human rights institutions (NHRIs) have a crucial role to play in advancing human rights education in their countries. It is a core part of their mandate. The Paris Principles set out that NHRIs have a responsibility to “assist in the formulation of programmes for the teaching of, and research into, human rights and to take part in their execution in schools, universities and professional circles”. The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training also stresses that NHRIs “can play an important role, including, where necessary, a coordinating role, in promoting human rights education and training by, inter alia, raising awareness and mobilizing relevant public and private actors”. NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region have a long and rich tradition of delivering human rights education programmes for a broad range of stakeholders. Some provide training in human rights law and practice to the police, military and other law enforcement officials. Others work with their governments to encourage the incorporation of human rights into national school curriculums. Of course, many also undertake programmes at the grass-roots level to build the capacity of communities and civil society organisations to advocate for human rights, especially for those most vulnerable to violations. And as new technologies develop, NHRIs will continue to design innovative ways to share human rights knowledge, skills, stories and perspectives with the many different groups with which they work. This Manual seeks to draw together the principles and practice that are essential to effective human rights education. It provides a thorough theoretical framework to assist NHRIs with the design, delivery and evaluation of their human rights education programmes, as well as a broad range of case studies showcasing good practice from NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region. I trust this Manual will be of assistance to NHRIs in their important work. Kieren Fitzpatrick Director Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions iii