REPORTING TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS TREATY BODIES TRAINING GUIDE: Part II — Notes for Facilitators ¡¡ Prepare photocopies of the sheet of paper to be distributed to participants prior to the group activity planned in step 2 of the session sequence. SESSION SEQUENCE Step 1: Introductory brainstorming  Duration 5 minutes a) Prepare the ground for the session by asking participants to mention with whom, in general, States could consult on human rights issues beyond State institutions. b) Acknowledge the responses (e.g., national human rights institutions, CSOs, academics, media, etc.). Explain that the session is going to be devoted to exploring why, when and how States can consult with national human rights institutions and CSOs in the context of treaty reporting through short group activities. TIP ÎÎIf you have previously conducted Session 2.1 on the NMRF, stress that the group activities of the session devoted to ‘how to consult’ (steps 4 and 5) will allow the group to explore ways in which a NMRF could strengthen its consultation capacity (i.e. how it can foster and lead consultations). Step 2: Group activity: why to consult?  Duration 15 minutes a) Distribute to each participant a sheet of paper containing the six statements on consultations you have previously prepared. Request them individually to tick two statements that they find most important as to why one should consult (3 minutes). b) Ask participants to discuss at their tables their selection and to come up with the agreed two statements that the group find most important; and ask a participant for each group to tick them with a marker in the flipchart you posted on the wall (5 minutes) c) Open the floor and ask participants whether there is any statement that they think is entirely misplaced or inaccurate (5 minutes). d) Summarize the key words mentioned, such as understanding, trust, cooperation, accuracy, efficiency, support, knowledge-building, etc. (2 minutes) TIP ÎÎThere might be no need to directly respond to participants when expressing their views on statements they found misplaced or inaccurate as often other participants will intervene and argue. Let the discussion flow! Step 3: Group activity: When should one consult?  Duration 15 minutes a) Assign to each table one of the reporting cycles posted on the walls of the training room. Ask participants to discuss and place “post-its” in the cycle, indicating when during the cycle it could be useful for States to consult with national human rights institutions and CSOs (5 minutes). 76