Figure 7: Potential benefits for a community from a HRCLD approach Improved conditions Relationships / partnerships with appropriate externals Selfdetermination - by taking control of own lives Strengthsbased focus on the fulfilment of rights and responsibilities Community Community cohesion investment in each other’s wellbeing Strengthened resilience and self-reliance Locally-driven strategies to act on issues Increased equality, inclusion and nondiscrimination How did Vanuanui benefit by engaging in a HRCLD activity? The people of Vanuanui were facing many issues that seemed overwhelming. They had made attempts to address them but were experiencing external barriers they couldn’t navigate. They were not taken seriously, were trapped in bureaucratic processes, and didn’t understand, or trust, the motivations of the people they were dealing with. They were also experiencing internal difficulties. Apart from the impact on the wellbeing of community members, in-fighting among families was beginning. Having an outside trusted organisation – the NHRI – facilitate a HRCLD process meant that members of Vanuanui were able to: • talk meaningfully with each other – refocus on what mattered to them. • regroup – including establishing a process of reconciliation and commitment to each other • agree on priorities – by mapping the issues facing them against human rights and cultural frameworks and discussing them respectfully • build internal strength – by developing strategies to address their priority issues using a human rights-based self-determination lens. APF HRCLD Guide 26