Since 1995, RWI has supported over 50 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) worldwide to strengthen their capacities and fulfil their mandate to promote and protect human rights. The institute has developed a unique model for capacity building and development of NHRIs that focuses on all facets of the institution, starting from a base level of ensuring basic operational capacities and human rights knowledge, all the way up to its functional capacities, leading towards international accreditation and greater compliance with the Paris Principles.
RWI’s model for capacity building and development of NHRIs is based on a human rights-oriented approach that can be best represented as a pyramid, where cooperation can take place at one or more levels, depending on the needs of the institution in question.
The following are examples of support provided in relation to different kinds of capacity:
Capacity to Advise the Government:
- Provide advice and training to analyse legislation and provide comments.
- Provide advice and training to advise on national policies.
Education and Promotion:
- Training staff, creating capacity to promote and educate on human rights.
- Training of trainers.
Investigations and Monitoring:
- Training on National Inquiries.
- Creating effective complaint handling systems.
Interaction with Judiciary:
- Including representatives of the judiciary in training for NHRI’s staff.
- Training on interaction between NHRI and judiciary for the NHRI’s staff.
Cooperation with other National and International Organisations:
- Including representatives of regional and international organisations in NHRI’s trainings.
- Thematic workshops on the interaction between NHRI and international and regional actors.
Ensuring a Basic Level of Human Rights Knowledge throughout the entire NHRI.
Assessing Needs and Training on Specific Human Rights Issues:
- Training in blended learning format.
- Including different stakeholders (civil society, police, judiciary, etc.), where possible.
Training and Accreditation of Trainer:
- Building internal capacity of staff to train staff (internal staff development plans).
Sound Organisational Structure and Management Capacities:
- Advice/training on management strategies.
- Establishing management structure and arrangements.
Information Technologies (IT) and Knowledge Management Capacities:
- Assistance in the development of Websites and documentation centres.
- Training on information research techniques, media strategies, etc.
- Training on modern library management.
Human Resource and Knowledge Management Capacities:
- Advice on staff performance, management and retention policies.
Financial Management Capacities:
- Training on strategies to deal with financial constraints and establishing financial management policies.
Strategic Planning Systems.