International activities enhance the visibility and transparency of the work of the ombudsman institution. The sharing of experience provides the opportunity to both strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two institutions and to enhance international collaboration. An AOB expert also took part in an EU conference whose theme was the fifth anniversary of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In order to guarantee the effective implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the member states, the need for training particularly of civil servants and members of the legal professions must be identified and evaluated. The conference in Brussels also addressed the question of the acceptance of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Conference on EU Charter of Fundamental Rights In the year under review, the AOB was again able to expand the traditionally good cooperation within the European Network of Ombudsmen. In April, an AOB expert took part in the ninth meeting of the liaisons of the network, which took place in Strasbourg. The focus of the meeting was the network’s future. The participants discussed better servicing as well as an improved perception of the network’s work in the member states, among the main stakeholders and the general public. Meeting of Network of Ombudsmen In her function as Chairperson of the AOB, Gertrude Brinek participated in the ninth regional seminar of the European Network of Ombudsmen; the seminar was organised by the ombudsman institution of Wales (Great Britain). The event’s motto was “Ombudspersons and petitions committees: voices for those who are voiceless”. Speeches and discussions addressed topics such as the rights of young people and of the elderly, the right to high quality health care and social services and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 9th regional seminar in Wales 4.2.4 OSCE The NPM is actively participating in the OSCE dialogue about responsibilities, challenges and opportunities of further development of national human rights institutions. The traditionally good cooperation was of particular interest this year, as Switzerland, in its function as the country chairing the OSCE, defined the topic of “prevention of torture” as the priority for 2014. Thematic focus: prevention of torture Therefore, the NPM was glad to present a report about its activities during the meeting of the OSCE Human Rights Committee in Vienna. NPM experts also participated in an additional meeting of the Human Dimension Committee, which was dedicated to the topic of torture prevention. Moreover, the experts visited an APT meeting that brought NPM institutions from all over Europe to Vienna prior to this additional OSCE meeting to share their experiences in the areas of police and torture prevention. 23