Celebrating 10 years of the Yogyakarta Principles: What have we learnt and where to now? Question 2: Roles of specific actors States • Dialogues are necessary to encourage discourse on LGBTI rights/issues and seen as catalyst to acceptance and change. Dialogues should target faith and culture based organisation as well as religious leaders. It is also important to decide on the terms/nature of engagement. Depending on the level of acceptance of a particular religion or culture, discussion should focus on law, on rights and be fuelled by personal stories/experiences rather than provisions of the scriptures or doctrine. However, in cases where doctrine or scriptures are supportive of LGBTI rights, these should be leveraged. NHRIs • NHRIs should be seen as important allies which can champion the issue of LGBTI rights through their mandate • NHRIs can send the message to the community that human rights trumps cultural norms and values. Academics/universities/advocates • Engagement with academics is essential to encourage more research indicative of support to LGBTI rights. Advocates • More engagement with law makers and members of parliament • Empowering and awareness raising among young persons and others including businesses (under the Business and Human Rights agenda) to understand LGBTI issues • To engage with families which have accepted LGBTI individuals to be the catalyst of general acceptance • Identify and share positive stories of how culture, religion and faith that have been supportive in the promotion of LGBTI rights. Religious leaders • Engaging Ulema and other religious leaders, as well as academics in developing a better understanding of the issues. Families • Parents of people of diverse SOGIESC need to recognise and accept sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics within the family setting. Society • More effort is needed to address violent cultural norms and to recognise different cultures in different societal settings; Elaborate on the cultural acceptance of gender diversity (e.g. in Samoa and other indigenous cultures). UN/regional/entities • To intensify initiatives to encourage regional sharing of experience and good practices (between different actors including NGOs, LGBTI movements, NHRIs and Government) in problem solving on issues relating to LGBTI, through proper documentation, workshops or even online group discussions; Enhance regional networking. 30