Overview attacks on specific groups and highlighted challenges States face in responding to such crimes, including a lack of accurate data. In its work with state authorities to improve data collection and other responses, ODIHR cooperated closely with the three personal representatives of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on promoting tolerance. The need for strong and independent national institutions against discrimination was highlighted at a Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting in May, which focused on combating racism and xenophobia targeted at persons belonging to national minorities and migrants. ODIHR’s Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues in 2008 continued to assist participating States in implementing the 2003 OSCE Action Plan on improving the situation of Roma and Sinti in the region. A status report published by ODIHR in October concluded that minimal progress had been made in closing the significant gaps that remain between mainstream society and Roma and Sinti communities in areas such as education, housing, employment and access to social services and justice. The important role of local and regional authorities in promoting the integration of Roma and Sinti was stressed at a Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting organized by ODIHR in July. During the year, consensus emerged on the need for better education, including pre-school education, of Roma and Sinti as a prerequisite for overcoming discrimination and marginalization. OSCE foreign ministers formally adopted this approach at the Ministerial Council in December. Following a series of violent attacks on Roma and Sinti in Italy, ODIHR and the HCNM deployed an expert team in July to look into the situation and study the measures taken by the authorities. The report of the visit, which includes a number of recommendations, was published in early 2009. Last year’s Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, Europe’s largest human rights conference, again attracted over 1,000 government representatives, civil society groups and experts. In the working sessions, during special focus days and at a broad range of side events, participants reviewed the progress made by participating States in implementing their human dimension commitments. In conclusion, I believe that ODIHR demonstrated during 2008 — also under the able leadership of my predecessor, Ambassador Christian Strohal — its ability to be a primary instrument at the disposal of participating States for providing assistance with turning commitments into reality. For ODIHR to be able to continue its work in a fully effective way, we need the trust and support of all OSCE participating States, as well as their openness and willingness to request ODIHR assistance. Under my leadership, ODIHR will continue to strive for enhanced engagement with all participating States, based on a spirit of trust and co-operation. Ambassador Janez Lenarčič Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Annual Report 2008 7