all sectors of society – human rights NGOs and community organizations of all types, as well as relevant individuals. This is all the more important in the area of human rights, where individuals feel touched by developments and outcomes. An effective consultation process during the development of the plan will encourage broader understanding and acceptance of it. The consultation process is crucial for the credibility and, ultimately, the effectiveness of the plan. In addition to their concern with questions of principle, human rights NGOs and other representatives of civil society are involved at grassroots level in the protection of human rights and the identification of human rights problems. They also embody powerful reserves of commitment and energy. They are thus often best placed to make a substantive and constructive contribution to the national plan development process. Consultation and coordination within government are also crucial. The involvement of a wide range of government agencies in developing and implementing the plan will reinforce the notion that human rights are not just a matter for justice or foreign affairs ministries, but are the responsibility of government as a whole. Commitment by public officials to the plan is vital to ensure that a plan’s substantial human and financial resource requirements are met. Visible support from the top echelons of government will help mobilize bureaucratic action more effectively, give a much higher public profile to the plan and ensure that the process is sustainable. Multi-party political support is also very important. A national human rights action plan should be based on lasting universal standards that are shared by all sectors of society. It is part of a long-term process of enhancing national observance of universal standards that should survive changes of government and be above political dispute. 3.2 Commitment to universal human rights standards A credible national action plan must be built on a commitment to universal human rights standards. An important element of any national action plan should be a commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Embracing both civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights, it constitutes the foundation of the international human rights system. In United Nations resolutions dealing with human rights, the nations of the world have time and time again unanimously reaffirmed the Universal Declaration. The 171 nations attending the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights reaffirmed in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action “their commitment to the purposes and principles contained in the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration”. They emphasized the Universal Declaration’s description of itself as “a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations”. They reaffirmed “the solemn commitment of all States to fulfil their obligations to promote universal respect for, and observance and protection of, all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all”. The Conference further stated that “the universal nature of these 14