Part of our Everyday Work NHRI Guidelines for Mainstreaming SOGISC Work 37. Engage with business and professional organisations to encourage them to understand the application of human rights law to issues relating to SOGISC and to implement policies and programs for the better promotion and protection of the human rights of LGBTI people, in cooperation with LGB, T and I organisations. 4.7. COOPERATION AND ENGAGEMENT The Paris Principles require that NHRIs work in cooperation with all sectors of society, including other state institutions and NGOs. They must also preserve their independence. An NHRI is neither part of government nor an NGO, but needs to work closely with both. If an NHRI’s independence is trusted, it can help to promote dialogue between government, judiciary and civil society. It is part of an NHRI’s role to reach out to organisations working on human rights issues for intersex, transgender, lesbian, gay, and/or bisexual people. NHRIs and NGOs in this region have shared these ideas about ways that they can work together on SOGISC issues.47 NHRIs AND NGOs WORKING WELL TOGETHER LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH OTHER ü ü ü Understand and respect each other’s distinct roles and responsibilities ü ü Be open to learning: It’s OK to say, “I don’t know” Have clear information for NGOs explaining the NHRI’s legal mandate and what it can do Build trust, by sharing your organisations’ experiences, priorities, and what it can and cannot contribute Know who is responsible for making decisions and identify preferred options for raising concerns and resolving any complaints COLLABORATE ü Proactively establish a working relationship, not solely in reaction to the NHRI’s or CSO’s priorities or deadlines ü ü ü ü Plan events in advance with sufficient notice ü ü ü Be accountable for commitments made to each other ü û NHRIs maintain their independence by collaborating with a diverse range of CSO stakeholders Put time and resources into creating genuine and collaborative working relationships Create dedicated ways for communicating with each other e.g. focal points Ensure there are multiple points of contact with the NHRI and CSOs so that, when people leave, those relationships are not lost Give constructive feedback about ways to keep improving your working relationship Formalise this working relationship, for example by incorporating SOGISC issues into the NHRI’s Strategic Plan and by CSOs prioritising their work with the NHRI Do not assume that outreach to one individual or group amounts to community consultation 21