Since December 2010, a new database on the ratification and implementation of the Protocol in individual countries has been in operation on the Association for the Prevention of Torture’s website6. It also contains detailed information on the functioning of national preventive mechanisms desginated by individual countries. 5. Cooperation between the Defender and non-governmental organisations In relation to the performance of tasks of the National Preventive Mechanism by the Human Rights Defender, employees of the Mechanism cooperate closely with non-governmental organizations, whose scope of interest and tasks concern broadly understood prevention of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The cooperation consists in, above all, the exchange of information on the situation of prisoners and detainees in various establishments in the country and the functioning of the National Preventive Mechanism. The most important partner for the Defender performing the role of the National Preventive Mechanism in this regard is the coalition of non-governmental organisations and academic circles “Agreement on the Implementation of the OPCAT” (hereinafter referred to as Coalition), which currently comprises: Amnesty International Poland, Polish Section of the International Commission of Jurists, Association for Legal Intervention, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Sławek Foundation and the Department of Criminology and Criminal Policy of the University of Warsaw. Since its formation, the Coalition has supported the establishment of the National Preventive Mechanism in Poland, whereas currently, its guidance concerning the NPM functioning and visiting reports serve as a valuable tool for its development. Following her predecessors, the Human Rights Defender of the VI term of office, Professor Irena Lipowicz met with the Coalition representatives.On 27 October 2010, during the conference with representatives of competent authorities and nongovernmental organizations, organized at the Office of the Human Rights Defender, the second annual report on the activities of the Mechanism in 2009 was jointly discussed. Cooperation organized as described above demonstrates the transparency and openness of NPM members to remarks of non-governmental organisations. The National Preventive Mechanism also makes use of reports from visits drawn up by non-governmental organizations, such as “Dealing with convicts at admitting them at establishments where they are to serve the penalty of deprivation of liberty. A monitoring report”. (Maria Niełaczna in: Analizy, Raporty, Ekspertyzy No 2/2010 of the Polish Association for Legal Intervention). They are an important source of data and opinions for the NPM. NPM cooperation with non-governmental organizations as regards seminars and training courses is also very important. In 2010, several education and information projects were implemented, in which NPM members played an active role. NPM representatives also took part in various meetings. On 13 April 2010, the Department of Law and Administration of the University of Silesia hosted a conference entitled “Infringement of civil rights and liberties during penalty execution”.On 27 May 2010, an expert seminar entitled “Prison and after” organized                                                              6 www.apt.ch/opcat