followed by workshops and consultations and the establishment of a National Steering Committee for the Plan. President Mandela launched the National Plan process on Human Rights Day, 10 December 1997, in the presence of Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Work continued through 1998, including Cabinet approval of the plan framework and a series of consultative workshops in all provinces of the country. An important feature of the workshops was that they afforded an opportunity to provide basic human rights training to local officials at the provincial level. In November 1998, the draft plan was discussed and adopted by Cabinet. It was subsequently presented to, and endorsed by, Parliament. The plan was launched on International Human Rights Day, 10 December 1998. Another feature of the South African plan is the effort it makes to be user-friendly. It includes a section explaining how the plan document is structured and is made more action-oriented by indicating the various State institutions that have responsibilities relevant to human rights. In addition, the plan is published in a handy pocketbook format. The plan process involved a national public awareness plan that included media coverage, workshops and pamphlet distribution. The plan is comprehensive in its content and approach. It considers particular rights and issues under the following three broad headings: Civil and Political Rights • • • • • • • • • • • • • Equality Life Freedom and security of the person Privacy Labour rights Political rights Access to justice Just administrative action Citizens Aliens Refugees Expression The rights of arrested, detained and accused people Economic, Social and Cultural Rights • • • • • • • • • • Employment Housing and shelter Health Food Water Land Social security Education Freedom of culture, religion and language Rights of children and young people 36