Government, in seeking to achieve its objectives, must bring stakeholders into a meaningful partnership. This does not mean that governments should stand back from the process. Indeed, they will need to take an active stance by promoting the national action plan at all stages and ensuring that it remains a living document. Through such a broad-based effort, better results may be expected in terms of enhanced public awareness and strengthened institutions. 3.10 The international dimension It is important for countries that have established national action plans to be involved on the international stage as well. By developing and implementing a national action plan, a country is making an unambiguous statement not only to its own people but also to the outside world about its human rights agenda. By having a clear programme that reflects internationally agreed guidelines and accords with international best practice, countries are in a better position to seek technical and other assistance in overcoming human rights problems, especially in areas where domestic expertise or resources are limited. Countries that have already established a national action plan are also in a position to provide guidance, if requested, to others that are in the process of developing a plan. This may be done through seminars and technical assistance. In addition, information that is publicly available through international networks will encourage those considering or working on the development of a plan. Through such international activity, the promotion and protection of human rights will be seen as a truly common endeavour aimed at ensuring the observance of universal principles. International issues are further addressed in chapter 13. 3.11 Potential difficulties Pursuing a national action plan approach to improving human rights observance has many advantages. However, it would be misleading to suggest that there are no obstacles, difficulties or potential criticisms of the process. The Handbook addresses many of these issues in passing, but it is appropriate to consider them as a specific issue that deserves attention. Some of the potential difficulties are conceptual, some are political and some are practical. One concern is that because of the great differences between States – in terms of culture, political systems and economics – it is inappropriate to develop guidelines intended to apply to all of them. However, human rights have progressively been accepted as an issue demanding international cooperation and the development of international guidelines for action is consistent with practice in many other areas. A national action plan may be viewed as a voluntary mechanism for implementing more effectively principles to which a country has already given a commitment. In this sense, the development and implementation of a national action plan may be viewed as a means of strengthening a nation’s individual capacities. 21