International activities Dr. Kostelka dealt with preventative mechanisms against abuse in penal institutions on a national level. Together with the ombudsman institutions of Belgium, France and Northern Ireland, the AOB is participating in a pilot project initiated by the Commissioner for Human Rights. The project specifically deals with the question which role ombudsman institutions can play in the implementation of rulings by the European Court of Justice for Human Rights. AOB employees are also participating in the further expansion of an active network of independent national human rights institutions. This so-called “peer-to-peer project” was initiated in 2007 by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the EU. AOB employees participated in the seminars offered for employees of human rights organizations on OPCAT mechanisms and human rights protection for illegal migrants, among other topics. Pilot project The fifth of the round tables organized annually by the Human Rights Commissioner for the national human rights organizations in Europe took place in Dublin on 16 and 17 September 2008 and was dedicated to the topic: Round table in Dublin Domestic Protection of Human Rights – Strengthening Independent National Structures. Participants, including Ombudsperson Mag. Stoisits, not only had the opportunity to exchange information on their experiences regarding the influence of human rights organizations on legislation ot the human rights awareness and education but were also able to establish contact with the UN and the European Agency for Fundamental Rights. 2.3. Bilateral contacts and projects Last year as well, AOB employees focused on a more lively exchange of ideas and a more intensive cooperation with neighbouring countries. During a visit to their Slovenian colleagues on 18 and 19 February 2008, the members of the AOB were particularly interested in the legal foundations of its sister institution and its specific competencies and practices. The Slovenian ombudsman institution was a partner of AOB in a training programme initiated by the OSCE Mission in Skopje for employees of the Macedonian ombudsman. The programme dealt primarily with forms of discrimination and strategies to deal with it in complaint proceedings. Ombudsperson Mag. Dr. Fekter and an associate developed model solutions for specific cases with the participants. Intensive bilateral contacts The AOB pursued its goal of intensifying the international transfer of know-how in 2008 as well. Two representatives of the recently installed Egyptian ombudsman institution spent several days at the AOB in Vienna in order to learn about the customary methods of processing complaints at the AOB, its handling of requests by the media and the basic principles of electronic file management. To support the ombudsman institution recently created in Serbia, preparations were made during 2008 for a secondment of experts. At a seminar in Sofia about standards and norms for ombudsman activities, perspectives for closer cooperation were developed jointly with the Bulgarian ombudsman. Know-how transfer 14 32nd Report of the Austrian Ombudsman Board to the National Council and the Federal Council 2008