Democratization mechanisms within this time frame. ODIHR is following the implementation of OPCAT at the national level and collects information on implementing legislation and models of national preventive mechanisms. In March, ODIHR held a one-day conference on the effective implementation of OPCAT in Georgia together with Penal Reform International, the Association for the Prevention of Torture, and the Global Initiative for Psychiatry, with the support of the European Union. Over 70 government officials, civil society representatives, and international experts discussed models for a Georgian national preventive mechanism, including policies for the recruitment and operation of such a monitoring body. This event was followed up by another meeting in Tbilisi in June to mark the first anniversary of OPCAT’s entry into force. In May, ODIHR’s Anti-Torture Focal Point gave an overview of the possible powers, mandate, and model for a national preventive mechanism at a seminar in Kazakhstan. Participants debated the effectiveness of bodies in Kazakhstan that visit places of detention and put forward proposals to bring them into compliance with OPCAT standards. The first session of the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture, the international monitoring mechanism created under the Protocol, also took place in 2007, and it commenced its programme of visits. ODIHR established contacts with this new body and continued to cooperate with other international anti-torture organizations. Most recently, ODIHR provided input for the UN Committee against Torture’s General Comment on Article 2 of the UN Convention against Torture. Exchanging assistance strategies In encouraging and supporting compliance with OSCE commitments, ODIHR is attuned to the activities of OSCE field operations, international and bilateral organizations, and other assistance-providers in the OSCE region. ODIHR staff seek opportunities to exchange experiences 26 Annual Report 2007 with these actors, to enrich ODIHR’s professional acumen, to expand its expert network, and to share its expertise with others. In 2007, ODIHR staff provided training at the Folke Bernadotte Academy in Sweden, contributed to the American Bar Association’s World Justice Project Outreach Meeting in Prague, participated in a global conference on Building Coherent and Effective Rule of Law Programmes and Strategies organized by the Hague Institute for the Internationalisation of Law, and also participated in a regional conference on Strategies of Criminal Procedures in St. Petersburg, Russia. II. Civil society and democratic governance the fundamental aspect of civil society is the voluntary participation of citizens in community life — both local and national — either directly or through organizations or institutions. The extent to which this participation is transparent and effective is a measure of the quality of democratic governance within a country. Over the past fifteen years, ODIHR has sought to strengthen this participation in line with OSCE commitments. ODIHR takes a comprehensive approach to strengthening democratic practices by working simultaneously with government institutions, civil society, and political structures. ODIHR’s methodology addresses governance issues by supporting democratic practices, developing political parties, improving parliamentary practices, and by forming partnerships with think tanks. Human dimension meetings in 2006 and 2007 provided opportunities for a critical assessment of this methodology, as well as a forum to discuss results and to share lessons learned, including from OSCE field operations. Supporting political parties The effective representation of citizens requires responsive political parties. Political parties are indispensable instruments in democratic