Part III: A systematic change perspective • They help to achieve change at the systemic/structural level by involving the higher responsible authorities Shortcomings • They entail the danger of losing the necessary distance to the authorities • When elaborating concrete proposals for change, NPMs might feel they are acting on the verge of their mandate. Training/Awareness raising/capacity building measures Strengths • Well-conceived and well targeted training for relevant stakeholders can create a greater awareness of the work of NPMs and can contribute to enhanced reputation among key stakeholders • Well-conceived and targeted training can promote knowledge about and attitudes favouring upholding of human rights in places of detention Shortcomings • Carrying out of trainings for duty-bearers is located at the edge of NPM’s mandate • Professional awareness raising and training measures require resources as well as specific skills which might not be easily available. Commenting on/Developing legislative and policy proposal Strengths • Commenting on existing or proposed legislation as well as proposing legislative changes allow contributing to change at the system level of the normative framework, which is of fundamental importance. • As Ombuds institutions have a long experience in legislative work, there is adequate technical knowledge and skills available for this task. Shortcomings • Engaging in the drafting of legal and policy proposals is time-consuming, requiring a lot of resources. Building Block 6: Strategic networking, including relations with the media Relevant questions • Who are the individuals and organisations with the same core beliefs regarding the problems the NPM identifies and the desired changes the NPM proposes? • How can we coordinate and cooperate most effectively to effectuate change? • What is the division of roles and responsibilities among these partners? • How can the NPM use the media to strengthen its follow-up action, coupling advocacy and communications/media work? • What is the media’s potential of influencing relevant public policies? • What would be the adequate media strategy and communications plan in this regard? • What resources, knowledge and skills are needed within the NPM to implement the media strategy and communications plan? Planning of concrete actions to achieve the desired change is necessarily located in a broader relational context. The SPT is very clear that NPMs need to establish ‘sustainable lines of communication […] with other relevant national and international actors in the field of prevention of torture […] and with civil society actors’.303 303 SPT, UN Doc CAT/OP/1, para 30. - 103 -