A/HRC/7/31 page 11 (c) As concerns the universal periodic review mechanism, the Forum outlined different possibilities for the participation of national institutions. At the country level, national institutions should be included in the consultation process held in preparation of country reports. Moreover, national institutions could themselves facilitate a consultation process with relevant State entities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which could contribute to the compilation of a separate or joint report to be submitted to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for the stakeholder report. The organization stressed that an important role for national institutions will be to disseminate the outcome of the universal periodic review to all major stakeholders and to actively monitor the implementation of recommendations. (d) APF outlined various measures through which national institutions can engage with the special procedures system. Such measures include encouraging Governments to extend a standing invitation to all thematic mandate holders, bringing particular human rights developments to the attention of the relevant mandate holder, engaging with mandate holders in the preparation and conduct of country visits, and monitoring the follow-up of their recommendations. In order for this relationship to be effective in practice, it is crucial for special procedures to liaise with national institutions, including in the context of country visits and regarding the adoption of specific recommendations. (e) Regarding the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, APF emphasized that communication between national institutions and the Advisory Committee will be essential for ensuring that the relevant information reaches the experts, including by circulating relevant publications to the Committee members. (f) APF encouraged the further development of modalities for systematic interaction between national institutions and the United Nations treaty bodies. National institutions would be in a position to contribute both in the context of State reporting as well as regarding the individual complaints procedures. In the view of APF, national institutions could inter alia encourage States to fulfil their reporting obligations and assist them in the preparation of their reports, provide supplementary reports or additional information to a treaty body or encourage NGO reports, participate in treaty body sessions and disseminate concluding observations. APF also stated that national institutions can play a role in the individual complaints procedures by undertaking education and awareness-raising about the complaints procedures, by assisting individuals filing complaints, monitoring compliance of interim measures and encouraging the implementation of views. (g) In conclusion, APF expressed the view that, as a result of their independent expertise and pluralistic perspective, the active presence of national institutions in the Council has the potential to create a more open dialogue on specific human rights issues at the international level. The organization stressed that the effective implementation of the modalities set up for the participation of national institutions is essential, and that the Council and its subsidiary bodies, as well as the OHCHR, should be encouraged to adopt inclusive working methods that ensure an effective flow of information to and from national institutions.