Cooperation with NGOs Cooperation with civil society is not only required by law, but it is also very important for the effectiveness of the AOB’s work. This cooperation has been institutionalized by the inclusion of representatives of NGOs in the Human Rights Advisory Council. As an advisory body, the Human Rights Advisory Council is also a forum for information sharing between representatives of Ministries and nongovernmental organisations. A result of this collaboration is, for example, the definition of investigative focal points and is therefore an essential factor in deciding which institutions and facilities and which subject areas will be selected by the expert Commissions of the AOB. Furthermore, the cooperation with NGOs is crucial because, due to their wide experience, they are able to point to possible maladministration and thus provide an important impetus for monitoring and control visits. The AOB is endeavouring to ensure this collaboration by way of cooperation agreements, thus putting the sharing of information on an effective basis that provides reliable expectations. Going beyond its statutory mandate, the AOB views itself as a forum for sharing information with and among non-governmental organisations. The creation of a proper platform is being planned. Public relations The AOB is obligated by law to inform the public about its new competences and especially about the results of its work. In addition to the classic ways of providing information via the website and publishing informational folders, the AOB is aiming to establish a greater degree of cooperation with the Political Science faculties at institutions of higher learning. The purpose is to place a greater emphasis on the importance of protecting human rights as an essential part of a democratic system. 60