REPORTING TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS TREATY BODIES TRAINING GUIDE: Part II — Notes for Facilitators SESSION PREPARATIONS ¡¡ This session is designed for training events at national level. Its aim is to encourage ratification of a particular international human rights treaty. It is suggested that this session be combined with one devoted to explaining the content of the particular treaty so as to raise awareness of it among participants (see Session 1.5 for a sample). ¡¡ Material for two group activities should be prepared in advance for this session: üü For the first group activity (step 2 of session sequence): • Write down the following questions on two separate sheets of paper: –– What are the benefits/advantages of ratification [specify the international human rights treaty]? –– What are the challenges of ratification [specify the international human rights treaty]? • Prepare four or five sets of these questions to be used in the group activity. üü For the second group activity (step 4 of the session sequence): • Write down on flipcharts the following questions, one per flipchart (in all cases the treaty should be specified): –– Who are the key actors to be brought on board for ratification? –– What are the key actions/measures to be undertaken prior to ratification? –– What key actions/measures should be undertaken after ratification? üü Identify three participants, ideally from different ministries, and invite them to participate as rapporteurs at the discussion tables during the second group activity. üü Meet with the rapporteurs beforehand (no later than the previous afternoon) and: • explain to them the group activity, including its sequence; • explain what is expected from them: –– facilitate the discussion on the question at their respective tables and try to get the group to reach an agreement; –– take notes and debrief the different groups coming to their tables; and –– debrief the plenary on the main points discussed and agreements reached. SESSION SEQUENCE Step 1: Introduction to ratifications: presentation  Duration 15 minutes a) The key elements to be included in the presentation can include: üü a definition of relevant legal terms, such as signature, ratification and accession as well as its differences; and üü the ratifications table of the country, sub-region or region as relevant. Step 2: Group activity: why ratify a human rights treaty?  Duration 15 minutes a) Advise participants that you would like the group to reflect on the benefits of becoming a State party to an international human rights treaty but also on possible reasons for not doing so, in writing. Stress that the activity does not require them to move from their tables. 10 b) Distribute to each table the sheet of paper you have previously prepared containing the question: What are the benefits/advantages of ratification [specify the international human rights