Performance record PACE inform themselves about AOB work An AOB employee welcomed a delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), explained and presented the AOB’s work and accompanied the visitor group to the Vordernberg detention centre. Conference on the freedom of speech An expert workshop on “Freedom of speech” took place at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg in December. An AOB expert presented international examples of complaints to ombudsman institutions in this area. The topic of freedom of information, which is becoming increasingly important for ombudsman institutions, was included in this exchange of experience. European Union and European Network of Ombudsman ENO meets in Brussels Ombudswoman Brinek and Ombudsman Kräuter also took part in the conference of the European Network of Ombudsmen (ENO), which was organised by the Office of the European Ombudsman. National and regional ombudspersons from all over Europe as well as members of government and EU public servants met for the first time in this framework. The core topics of this conference included the refugee situation and transparency in EU institutions in relation to lobbying. As a speaker, Ombudsman Kräuter explained the Austrian view on the refugee matter. FRA Director visits AOB An intensive exchange took place with the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), whose headquartered is located in Vienna, in 2016. Ombudsman Kräuter received the Director of the FRA for a working meeting, and experts from the AOB took part in various FRA meetings and conferences. Other events and bilateral contacts Serbian Commissioner for Protection & Equality In April, the Serbian Commissioner for Protection of Equality visited the AOB. The focus of the discussion, in which Disability Ombudsman Erwin Buchinger took part as well, was care for the elderly. The growing challenge in connection with refugees was also discussed. Ombudsman Günther Kräuter indicated that besides minor refugees, persons with disabilities were not cared for adequately. Conference of German Petition Committees The Petitions Committees of Germany met in Potsdam in 2016 for their biennial conference. The Austrian Ombudsman Board was represented by Ombudsman Peter Fichtenbauer. The main theme of the conference was petition law. Luxembourg was used as an example to show how petition rights can be made more accessible to older persons in particular. Visitor groups come to Vienna A delegation from the ombudsman institution of Kyrgyzstan used their stay in Vienna to pay a visit to the AOB as did a delegation from Sri Lanka, which was led by the Minister for Parliamentary Reform and the Media. The guests were greeted by the members of the AOB and gained an insight into the 28