169. The OSCE’s response to the challenges of intolerance and discrimination has not been limited to tasks assigned to the ODIHR. Following a number of high-level conferences on the subject, the OSCE decided to highlight the political importance of the issue by establishing three Personal Representatives (PRs), each with a focus on a particular aspect of discrimination and xenophobia. Since their initial appointment by the then-Chairman-in-Office, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Solomon Passy, in December 2004, the ODIHR has undertaken continuous efforts to support them in fulfilling their mandate. Since their reappointment by the Belgian Chairmanship, the ODIHR has given input on the operational arrangements and modalities for country visits developed by the Chairmanship to support increased coordination between the Chairmanship, PRs, the ODIHR, and other OSCE institutions. The ODIHR has accompanied the PRs on most of their country visits and has organized numerous joint events and meetings with civil society. 170. As in other areas, the question of how effective the PRs and the ODIHR’s work has been, and how effectiveness can be increased, is difficult. It could not be expected of the ODIHR or the three PRs to produce a demonstrable impact on the situation of discrimination, racism, and xenophobia in little more than two years since their establishment. Any such attempt to show a direct and immediate effect on the problem would lack sincerity and would be of little value. Moreover, as there are a considerable number of international organizations, governments, and NGOs involved in this field, it would be practically impossible to connect positive development with the activities of any single actor. In line with the recommendations of the Panel of Eminent Persons, the ODIHR has been making effective use of the data and existing analytical capacities of other organizations and research institutes. 171. At the same time, the ODIHR has been trying to develop indicators for assessing the effectiveness of its work, and has incorporated lessons learned and advice from professionals from across the sector in the design of its Tolerance and Non-discrimination Programme. Specific aspects of the OSCE as a regional security organization have been factored into programme development. 172. If the activities of the Personal Representatives were even more closely aligned with the various tasks given to the ODIHR, the PRs could play a greater role in enhancing and complementing the work of the ODIHR in supporting States in implementing their commitments. In order to improve the effectiveness of ODIHR assistance to States in this area, it may also be time to introduce ODIHR visits as a useful means to gain in-depth insight into particular problems, conflicts, or issues in a given country and be organized in close co-operation with field operations and the OSCE Secretariat. Along with the feedback from tailormade presentations to OSCE delegations in Vienna, country- or issue-specific panels could provide ODIHR with additional analysis, trends, and developments, on the basis of which it could optimize its assistance to States. 173. Overall, whenever the ODIHR has been accused of bias in its actions or statements, such allegations have not been substantiated and tend to originate from governments that have difficulties implementing OSCE commitments credibly and effectively. The ODIHR painstakingly tries to avoid any perceptions that its work is biased against, or in favour of, any country or group of countries. It has, in this context, expanded its operational activities to countries across the entire OSCE region. In fact, the ODIHR is more operational across the Common Responsibility: Commitments and Implementation 61