September 2011, there was a seminar in Warsaw organised by the European I.O.I. region that examined the role of ombudsman institutions in this area. Another seminar that was co-financed by the I.O.I. took place in Barcelona and was dedicated to the question of controling private companies providing public services. In collaboration with the Association of Ombudsmen of the Mediterranean, a training took place on the subject of “The powers of the mediator and the ombudsman” for investigation officers of ombudsman institutions from North Africa. The North American region held a “Sharpening Your Teeth” seminar in Jacksonville, Florida, for its members. Other regional projects financed by membership fees, including the development of an online training tool for I.O.I. member institutions in South America, are planned for 2012. In 2011, the I.O.I. intensified its activities in the areas of science and research. A regional research project that is being conducted by the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Human Rights is dedicated to the comparative analysis of ombudsman institutions in Australasia and the Pacific Region. Focal points are the legal bases of the I.O.I. member institutions, how they are embedded in the political system, the analysis of their mandates, as well as the prime focus of their investigative activities. After comprehensive research into the literature about the legal basis, mandate and activities of ombudsman institutions, a detailed questionnaire-based survey was conducted among selected institutions, especially about their activities, resources and competences. After working through the literature and other materials, a detailed research report is being written on the basis of a systematic analysis of the questionnaires. Completion of this study is projected for autumn 2012. Together with the results of a similar research project about European ombudsman institutions by Prof. Gabriele Kucsko-Stadlmayer, which was published in 2008, it will be part of a series about ombudsman institutions worldwide. Science and research In 2011, the Board of Directors of the I.O.I. also defined the basis for a comprehensive reform of the I.O.I. By-laws which will ensure the successful further development of the Institute in the future. Based on a meeting of the By-laws, Governance and Membership Committee chaired by I.O.I. President and New Zealand Chief Ombudswoman Beverley Wakem in May 2011 in Vienna, the General Secretariat developed a draft of revised By-laws. This draft was presented to the members in a transparent and comprehensive regional consultation process in spring 2012 and will be submitted for a vote at I.O.I. reform is on track 37