Performance record Fact-finding mission in Poland In 2016, Poland was an example of the level of oppression or even threat to which an ombudsman institution can be exposed even inside the EU. The Polish Ombudsman was confronted with the loss of his personal immunity and strict budget cuts. The mandate and sphere of activity of the institution were restricted. For this reason, the IOI sent a delegation on a fact-finding mission in Warsaw in July 2016 to analyse to what extent the constitutional developments in the country affect the ombudsman institution. Meetings with the Constitutional Court, the members of the Senate and representatives from NGOs and citizens movements also took place as did talks with government representatives and the Ombudsman. IOI recommendations at press conference The main message of the IOI delegation after this fact-finding mission was criticism of the restriction of the Ombudsman’s sphere of activity and the emphasis on the key importance of the institution for democracy and protection of human rights in Poland. In a final report, which was presented at a press conference in Poland and submitted both to the Polish parliament and national as well as international institutions, the IOI emphasised the great importance of open support for the ombudsman institution, condemned the personal attacks on the Ombudsman and demanded the provision of sufficient financial and human resources. IOI World Conference Another focal point in the reporting year was the preparation and holding of the IOI World Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. The IOI World Conference takes place every four years. In 2016 it was held in the Asian Region for the first time and hosted by the office of the Ombudsman of Thailand. The motto of the World Conference was “Evolution of Ombudsmanship”. The forum discussions and workshops of the three-day conference offered not only an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences but also to get to know innovative projects from the practical side. Ombudswoman Gertrude Brinek represented the Austrian Ombudsman Board at this event and spoke about the collaboration of the AOB with civil society. Within the framework of a media workshop, Ombudsman Günther Kräuter presented the ORF TV programme “BürgerAnwalt” (“Advocate for the People”), with the help of a video clip specially produced in English in cooperation with the Austrian Broadcasting Cooperation’s public television channel ORF. IOI General Assembly and election of Executive Committee Besides the annual meeting of the IOI Board of Directors, the IOI General Assembly, which takes place every four years, also convened prior to the conference. The member institutions taking part in the General Assembly unanimously adopted the “Bangkok Declaration, with a view to strengthen the independence of ombudsman institutions and to focus on the protection and promotion of human rights. The IOI Board of Directors also elected their Executive Committee with Peter Tyndall (Ireland) as IOI President, Diane Welborn (USA) as 1st Vice-President, Chris Field (Australia) as 2nd Vice-President and Viddhavat Rajatanun (Thailand) as Treasurer. As IOI Secretary General, Ombudsman Günther Kräuter is an ex-officio member of this body. 24