Regional systems 111 years thereafter. The Advisory Committee may also invite the Committee of Ministers to request ad hoc reports in order to address situations that arise between periodic reports of a State party. The initial reports should contain full information on the legislative and other measures adopted by the State to realize the principles of the Convention. Detailed guidelines have been adopted by the Committee of Ministers for the initial reports, as well as for subsequent reports. Drafting the reports usually involves a process of consultation with minority organizations and NGOs, which are also encouraged to submit alternative reports or information to the Committee. While the Secretariat of the Framework Convention actively reaches out towards minority organizations and NGOs, interested organizations are also encouraged to initiate contact. Once it is received by the Council of Europe, the State report is automatically made public and posted on the Council’s website. In its examination of State reports, the Advisory Committee makes use of a wide variety of written sources of information from State and non-State actors. It has also developed the practice of carrying out country visits, during which it meets with Government officials, parliamentarians, representatives of minorities, NGOs and other relevant interlocutors. Following its examination of a State’s report and, in most cases, a country visit, the Advisory Committee adopts an “opinion”, which is transmitted to the State concerned and to all Council of Europe member States. The State concerned has an opportunity to comment on the Committee’s opinion, and it may decide to make it public at this stage. In preparing its response, the State concerned may also choose to engage in further consultations with minority organizations and NGOs. The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has the final responsibility in monitoring the Framework Convention (art. 26). Following the adoption of an opinion by the Advisory Committee, the Committee of Ministers adopts a resolution containing conclusions and recommendations (which are normally closely based on the Committee’s opinion) to the State concerned on implementation of the Framework Convention. The preparation of this resolution provides an opportunity for other States, including non-parties, to express themselves on the situation. This resolution is made public, together with any comments by the State party and the Advisory Committee opinion, if the latter had not been made public earlier. In order to encourage discussions on measures to improve minority protection, the Secretariat of the Framework Convention organizes meetings in States for which monitoring has been completed. These follow-up meetings have proved an excellent opportunity to bring together all the actors concerned by the implementation of the Framework Convention, both governmental and non-governmental, and to examine ways to put into practice the results of the monitoring. NGO participation at the domestic level NGOs can encourage changes in domestic legislation and practice in accordance with the principles set forth in the Framework Convention. They can present their own ideas concerning the interpretation of the Convention and raise public awareness about the country’s obligations under it. This can create a new climate in which the State is expected to take steps to comply with its obligations, irrespective of the presence of international monitoring bodies. Public awareness can be increased, for example, by translating and disseminating the text of the Framework Convention and related documents. The latter should include the official State report, any comments by NGOs and, once they are available, the opinions of the Advisory Committee and the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee of Ministers. It may also be possible for NGOs and minority communities to be directly involved in the preparation of a State’s report. NGOs should be aware of which Government body is responsible