We helped drive change through capacity development From conducting inquiries and investigating complaints, to running education programs and advising government on laws and policies, NHRIs work at the frontline to protect and promote human rights. We provide a range of services to support our members to be as effective as possible, often in challenging political and social contexts. Through our Capacity Assessment programme, we support our members to identify the capacities within the institution and those they need to develop to fulfil their mandate to promote and protect human rights at the national level. In May 2021, a High-Level Dialogue was held with the Ombudsman of Samoa, to introduce the institution’s new leadership team to the APF’s work and to exchange ideas on strengthening capacity across all areas of the organisation. Participants of the HLD reported a stronger understanding of the unique features of an independent NHRI. The activity also strengthened our relationship with the newly appointed Ombudsperson of Samoa. This year, we also continued our work with the Ombudsman of Samoa to support the development of their Strategic Plan (2021-2026) and to provide online training and coaching to increase the capacity of the Office to develop a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework. A virtual Capacity Assessment Review was successfully piloted with the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) in Bahrain, to determine the extent to which they had implemented the recommendations of a capacity assessment undertaken by the APF in 2017, and to identify any challenges they had faced in implementing the recommendations. In the past year, we also continued our Leadership Solidarity Outreach program in order to stay connected with our members and identify practical ways the APF can support them in their efforts to uphold human rights during the COVID-19 pandemic. We transitioned to a ‘digital first’ approach In December 2020, we launched the APF Community, an innovative online space for learning, collaboration, and resources. With COVID-19 continuing to create uncertainty around international travel, we needed to ensure that our members had access to capacity development activities and a platform for engaging with other NHRI staff across our network. “I liked that we could go through the courses on our own time. The app was easy to use, and I particularly liked that I could download courses and go through them offline as internet is not great in some areas. Different features used in the courses kept it interesting, and I especially appreciated listening to the experiences of NHRI leaders around the world” Course participant, Understanding NHRIs and the Paris Principles, Pacific. Understanding NHRIs and the Paris Principles A key feature of the APF Community is EdApp, an award-winning mobile learning platform that allows learners to complete APF courses on their mobile phone, in their own time. Micro-lessons can be downloaded and completed offline, allowing greater ease of use for learners. In November 2020 we launched an online course, Understanding NHRIs and the Paris Principles, to increase participants’ knowledge and understanding of the roles and functions of NHRIs and the requirements of the Paris Principles. Since the launch of the APF Community, we have created the following courses: A total of 29 participants from the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu undertook the online course in March 2021. • Understanding NHRIs and the Paris Principles (available in English and Arabic) Understanding NHRIs and the Paris Principles was also translated into Arabic, with 30 participants from NHRIs across West Asia undertaking the Arabic version. • Introduction to Human Rights Education • Facilitating Human Rights Education • Communicating for Human Rights Representatives from APF member institutions in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Qatar and the newly established NHRI in Lebanon took part in the course from February to March 2021. Throughout the course, participants were supported by staff from the APF’s sub-regional office in West Asia and communicated with each other in Arabic in the APF Community. • Understanding the Basics of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) • Who is the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions? Following the success of the first version of the course, a Pacific-focused version was held in March 2021, with the aim of supporting officials in Pacific Island countries and territories as they work towards the establishment of NHRIs in their countries. We have received extremely positive feedback from members and other stakeholders on the APF Community, particularly relating to the ease at which they are able to use the platform and move through the learning content. APF online courses have now been undertaken by 128 participants across our membership. 14 ASIA PACIFIC FORUM OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS ANNUAL REPORT 2020/21 15