ΙV. Participation in conferences / trainings / events  On 12 and 13 March 2018, Officers of the Commissioner’s Office participated in an international conference organised by the National Mechanism for Prevention of Torture in Germany (NPM Germany), together with the Austrian Ombudsman, entitled “Monitoring Home for Elderly, held in the Academy of European Law in Trier.  On 7 - 9 November 2018, an Officer participated in a workshop for the NPMs entitled ”Strengthening the follow-up to NPM recommendations” organised by the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) in collaboration with the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman in Copenhagen.  On 21 and 22 February, on 23 May and 7-8 October 2019, Officers of the Commissioner’s Office participated in meetings of the European NPM Working Groups, in collaboration with the European Council and the CPT, held in Athens, Nafplio and Rome, respectively, entitled “Ombudsman/NPM meeting on strengthening the independence and increasing the accountability of the Frontex pool of monitors”.  On 4-6 November 2019, an Officer of the Commissioner’s Office participated in a conference held by APT in Strasburg on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture entitled “IMPLEMENTING SAFEGUARDS IN THE FIRST HOURS OF POLICE CUSTODY”. 28