participate. The result of such techniques is, more often than not, resentment among trainees and, consequently, the closing of effective avenues of communication between trainer and trainees. While a certain level of control must be maintained by the trainer, the first rule should be flexibility. Questions – even challenges – from the audience should be welcomed, and should be addressed by trainers in a positive and forthright manner. Similarly, excessively rigid timekeeping can leave participants feeling frustrated and resentful and should be avoided. Relevant – The unspoken question of the trainee throughout the course will be: “What does this have to do with my daily work?” The extent to which the trainer continuously answers this question will be an important measure of his or her success. Every effort must therefore be made to ensure that all material presented is relevant to the work of the audience, and that such relevance is made clear where it is not self-evident. This task may be easier when operational themes are being addressed. It may require more careful preparation, however, with respect to more topical themes, such as the protection of especially vulnerable groups. Varied – To secure and retain the active commitment of participants, it is best to vary the teaching techniques used throughout the course. Most adults are not accustomed to long classroom sessions, and a tedious and monotonous routine will leave them more conscious of the classroom than of the subject matter. A varied selection of techniques should be used, alternating discussion with roleplaying and case studies with brainstorming, as appropriate to the subject matter. 20. Broadly speaking, this means that the following methods and approaches should be adopted: Presentation of standards: A short presentation on the human rights standards relevant to a given aspect of the work of the profession, and on how such standards can be effectively applied by the audience; Application of participatory techniques: Enables participants to use their knowledge and experience to translate into practice the ideas and concepts referred to in the presentation; and also enables them to consider the practical implications of human rights standards for their day-to-day work; Focus and flexibility: Enables participants to focus on matters of real and current concern; and enables educators and trainers to adapt to participants’ needs as the course progresses. 11