A/HRC/18/24 C. Human rights education and awareness-raising 20. In most States, human rights education was seen as a priority and measures were taken to include it in the educational system. States reported that they were engaged in close cooperation with NHRIs and NGOs not only in promoting human rights education but also in identifying possible gaps and further defining measures for resolving them. 21. Some States reported that they had developed a number of television and radio programmes for raising public awareness. Training institutions had been established for creating more understanding among judicial officials, prosecutors, officers of correctional institutions and law enforcement officers. Briefings and special programmes had also been developed for decision-makers and high-level State officials. In one State, a mandatory human rights course had been introduced for new recruits of law enforcement agencies and for court judges. In other settings, to prevent violations and ensure security, armed forces were receiving additional human rights training. III. National human rights institutions 22. The submissions received from NHRIs indicated that they see themselves as playing a key role in the protection and promotion of human rights. One of the key ways that they undertake this role is through becoming involved in the enshrining of human rights within the national legislative framework and introducing a human rights-based approach in government policies. 23. In some States, national institutions were able to play a role in the prevention of human rights violations by becoming the key actors in legislative-reform processes and the identification of national policies on non-discrimination. Within this framework, NHRIs are being conferred with specific functions and responsibilities to address discrimination; to fulfil this mandate, NHRIs undertook awareness-raising trainings on race-related discrimination, public campaigns for tolerance and other initiatives, which included the empowerment of women. 24. Indeed, many NHRIs considered that their work in public awareness-raising and human rights education is their main tool for prevention. NHRIs organized trainings, seminars and workshops, targeting in particular representatives of the law enforcement agencies. NHRIs reported that they had created training programmes on human rights for high-level decision-makers, parliamentary members, government officials, judges and journalists, with some institutions making such training mandatory for new recruits. Some events incorporated advocacy activities aimed at the ratification of international human rights treaties and contributed to the fostering of a human rights culture. 25. Publications, media programmes and educational modules of NHRIs were complemented with the opportunities offered by the advancement of information technology. Internet-based social networks are making a huge contribution to the activities of NHRIs. These opportunities make it possible for NHRIs not only to quickly update the public on their activities, but also to increase their influence on public opinion. NHRIs continue to work for the promotion of human rights education in close cooperation with academia and research institutes. 26. NHRIs reported that they focused on economic, social and cultural rights when monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the commitments made by States for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. 8