action plans should also incorporate mechanisms for the monitoring of progress and for evaluation of the plan's achievements. Human rights issues are ultimately just as important as other areas of public administration. Every effort should thus be made to avoid a situation in which human rights objectives are launched with great fanfare but are then left to wither because of lack of follow-through. There will be a variety of possible monitoring mechanisms but, whatever mechanism is chosen, it should have high-level support and weight within government so that government agencies respond to its recommendations and proposals. Ideally, a government minister should lead the monitoring process. Monitoring should involve all relevant layers of government in order to ensure that appropriate responsibility is taken for ensuring the plan’s implementation. Civil society – genuine representatives of stakeholders – should be welcomed into the monitoring process to encourage greater transparency and objectivity in evaluation. The monitoring mechanisms should meet at reasonable intervals during the life of the plan. The reviews should honestly identify shortcomings and obstacles and propose remedies to ensure that objectives are met. Towards the end of the life of the plan, it is desirable for an independent evaluation to be carried out. The plan’s achievements can then be assessed and recommendations made for subsequent plans. Monitoring and evaluation are dealt with in detail in chapters 11 and 12. 3.8 A continuing process Promoting and protecting human rights is a continuing process. There is no country that can seriously expect to resolve all its human rights problems within a relatively short time frame. This means that a national human rights action plan should be viewed as part of a long-term process. As one plan draws to an end, another should be developed to take its place, just as with economic plans. Happily, this seems to be developing as the practice of States that are working on national plans. Some of the first States to have drawn up a national plan are now developing a successor plan. The monitoring and review process can thus feed into the planning of the next national action plan by identifying to what extent problems have been overcome and by focusing attention on areas where further action needs to be taken. Subsequent plans will also take into account emerging human rights issues and new international standards. The process of renewing the national action plan will itself reinvigorate the commitment of all stakeholders to the promotion of human rights and enhance the dissemination of information about human rights. 3.9 A national undertaking A national action plan should be regarded as a truly national undertaking involving all elements of society. To make a real difference, it needs to be “owned” by the entire population. This is another way of looking at the elements of seriousness of purpose, inclusiveness, action orientation and publicity. It underscores that a national human rights action plan is a mechanism for the effective pursuit of national goals. 20