International trial-monitoring experts may be particularly useful to train on international fair-trial standards and basic monitoring skills such as observing hearings in court. As programmes develop their own focus and methodology, however, external trainers must be required to adapt the content of their training to meet the needs of individual programmes. In using international experts, programmes should inquire as to the expert’s familiarity with the local context and/or willingness to tailor training courses to local problems and issues. When hiring an international expert, programmes should work closely with experts on preparing appropriate content for training, taking into account the domestic context and methodology of the programme. Without such planning, training may at best be uninformative and at worst present methodologies or approaches inconsistent with those of the programme. Local experts may also make excellent trainers or speakers for programmes where such expertise exists. Local experts, including judges, prosecutors, law school professors, and lawyers involved with local organizations possess significant expertise on domestic law and practice. These professionals are already familiar with current law, practices, and issues, and may provide insight into particular issues and problems that may be encountered. Programmes should take advantage of such resources, as well as the opportunity to build connections with the local legal community. In preparing training sessions, such experts should also work closely with the project co-ordinator or legal analyst to tailor training specifically to those issues relevant to monitoring. Working partners may also provide support and expertise in organizing training (see Chapter 4.5, “Programme partnerships”). Project co-ordinators and legal analysts should also take an active part in supporting training, as they will be most familiar with a programme’s monitoring methodology and the responsibilities of monitors and other staff. 7.5 Other field support activities and mechanisms Given the time required to prepare training sessions, most programmes will only have the capacity to schedule training once or twice a year. In the interim, however, a monitoring field operation will require a high level of co-ordination and continuous support that will need to be provided to monitors who may be working alone in geographically disparate areas. The following feedback mechanisms will help ensure regular co-ordination, maintain consistency, and improve the quality of monitoring. These techniques will also help to promote a positive attitude among monitoring staff in the periods between training sessions. 7.5.1 Regular feedback on monitoring and reporting Regular and periodic feedback to monitors on case reports by legal analysts has been shown to improve the quality of reporting, as well as hasten the professional development of monitors. Such feedback is critical at the inception of a programme when the methodology of monitoring and reporting is being assimilated and the potential for divergent analysis and methodology is greatest. It is important that feedback be both positive and critical, and that it identify both good practices and problematic ones. In addition, regular feedback also ensures that case reports are thoroughly read and 96 Trial-Monitoring: A Reference Manual for Practitioners