42. In order to operationalise the peer review process, the National APRM Forum established a National Secretariat in January 2007, as well as a National Forum Technical Unit in June 2007, which were tasked with the administration of all APRM operation processes in Mozambique. 43. Upon completion of a public tender that was initiated in April 2007, three local research institutes were hired on 6 September 2007 to lead the selfassessment process in the four thematic areas, according to what had been established in the APRM’s baseline survey. 44. These research institutions are: • The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CEEI): Democracy and Political Governance; • Austral-COWI: Economic Governance and Management and Corporate Gov ernance; and • Cruzeiro do Sul – Research Institute for Development, Socioeconomic De velopment. 45. The technical research institutes immediately commenced the task of preparing the country’s self-assessment, which was executed using a holistic approach. As is widely becoming the convention, four research instruments were used: desk research, expert panel interviews, focus group discussions, and a national sample survey. In addition, the National Commission carried out public hearings and received memoranda and written submissions from various interest groups across the country. 46. The household survey, based on a sample of 4 200 households, was administered by the CEEI of the Higher Institute of International Relations (ISRI), under the technical direction of the INE. Apart from control procedures embedded in the design of desk and field research assessments, several quality control and assurance measures were deployed. 47. The self-assessment reports were validated throughout the country in two-day seminars held in each provincial capital. Thus, 11 seminars corresponding to the 11 provincial capitals were held, including Maputo city, with representation of civil society in 128 districts. 48. The CSAR was submitted to the APRM Secretariat in April 2008 and the draft NPOA in August of the same year. Everything considered, the CSAR, which comprises four volumes (one report for each thematic area), is sufficiently candid about the governance and socioeconomic situation in Mozambique. It represents the actual situation on the ground, despite some dissenting issues and criticisms, especially by some non-governmental organisations (NGOs). These were taken up during the CRM. 51