Representatives from eight Pacific countries have taken part in the APF online course Understanding NHRIs and the Paris Principles.

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 course in March 2021, with an 88 percent completion rate overall.

While participants included staff from the Ombudsman of Samoa, an APF member institution, most were from countries that are currently working towards establishing national human rights institutions (NHRIs).

By inviting non-NHRI staff to take part in the course, the APF aimed to increase knowledge and understanding about the role and responsibilities of NHRIs and support the establishment of NHRIs in the Pacific.

One of the APF's core activities is to support countries to establish independent and effective NHRIs, in compliance with the international standards set out in the Paris Principles.

During the course, Tracey Mikaele, Director of Engagement and Communications at the Ombudsman of Samoa, contributed her time as a resource person, drawing on her substantial experience working in an NHRI in the Pacific region, which participants found useful.

Participants reported that the online course was relevant, interesting and accessible:

"I liked that we could go through the course on our own time," said one course participant. "The app was easy to use, and I liked that I could download courses and go through them offline as the internet is not really great in some areas."

"I enjoyed the interface of the modules," another participant reported. "It would have been much better if we were face-to-face, but I am certain that this was the next best thing. The content was useful, including the experiences from the Samoa NHRI office."

The APF is continuing to develop new, accessible online courses on a range of topics relevant to NHRIs across the Asia Pacific.