International cooperation communication, the art of conversation, assertiveness in relations with customers and superiors, diagnosing and identifying basic customer mechanisms, manipulation and lying, and work with the mentally disturbed. 6. International cooperation The Human Rights Defender’s activity in the capacity of the National Preventive Mechanism13 is one of the areas of international cooperation of the Human Rights Defender. The HRD and the NPM staff attended a number of international meetings dedicated to the prevention of torture. On 25 January 2011, the Director of the National Preventive Mechanism Department attended a Round Table conference on imprisonment conditions in the European Union, organised in Brussels. Representatives of the Polish National Preventive Mechanism took part in three cycles of thematic workshops of national preventive mechanisms.14 The fourth cycle of thematic workshops, devoted to security and dignity in places of detention, was held on 14-15 March 2011 in Paris. The fifth cycle of thematic workshops of national preventive mechanisms was organised in Tallinn, on 15-16 June 2011. The meeting focused on gathering and revising information during NPM visits and on the functioning of the Independent Medical Advisory Panel (IMAP).15 The sixth cycle of workshops took place on 20-21 October 2011 in Baku and was devoted to protection of people from the so-called vulnerable groups in places of detention. The representative of the Polish NPM discussed the Mechanism’s experience in protecting LGBT16 persons deprived of liberty. On 13-14 September 2011 in Warsaw, the Human Rights Defender jointly with International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) organised the OPCAT AND OMBUDSMAN European Seminar. The meeting was devoted to issues relating to the functioning of national preventive mechanisms and implementation of the assumptions of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. When the conference ended, on 14 September 2011, the staff of the National Preventive Mechanism Department met with representatives of the Austrian Ombudsman (Volksanwaltschaft) to fill them in on the Mechanism’s history and the problems encountered in the process of assuming the role by the Polish Ombudsman. Appreciating the experience of the Office of the Polish HRD, Austria chose our Office for its partner in consultations on adopting the OPCAT by the Republic of Austria.  Hereinafter referred to as “NPM” or “Mechanism.”  The NPM workshops are organised by the Council of Europe in the framework of programme “Setting up an active network of national preventive mechanisms against torture, an activity of the Peer-to-Peer Network.” 15  The body’s task is to provide answers to general NPM questions, e.g. on systemic medical issues. 16  Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgenders. 13 14 17