and ensure their calibration with larger socio-political contexts, such as the implementation of a peace agreement. As an example of a coordination framework, in the former East Timor, in 2000, a steering committee was established comprising representatives of the political leadership, national human rights NGOs, women’s groups, youth organizations, the Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Church, the Association of Ex-Political Prisoners, Falintil, the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. More recently, in November 2007, the Government of Burundi and the United Nations signed a framework agreement on the establishment of a tripartite steering committee for national consultations on transitional justice mechanisms. The Committee is composed of two representatives each from the Government, civil society and the United Nations. All forms of consultations, whether qualitative or quantitative, are specialist undertakings and, regardless of which institution or organization conducts them, it is imperative that it should retain suitably qualified expert personnel. It will always be important to ensure that staff are fully trained in all technical aspects of their work as well as concerning any cultural or religious sensibilities that may arise. Consultation teams should always include persons who are thoroughly knowledgeable of the local context and the recent history, especially the period of conflict or oppression that the transitional justice programme will address. Special account needs to be taken of the skills and training issues that arise when undertaking consultations with women. Children should only ever be consulted by properly skilled personnel. 19