For example, in the run-up to the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, the Office of the Greek Ombudsman disseminated information to foreign ministries and the Greek police force about human rights and detention issues that could arise due to the increased pressure during the Olympic Games. PART I The ombudsman institution has an important role in educating the public about its own role (what falls within its mandate and, importantly, what does not) but it should also to be pro-active, ensuring that minority rights standards and multiethnic cooperation are promoted. This has the twin advantage that minorities will be protected and that the ombudsman is less likely to be called upon to respond to problems. Codes of conduct showing good practice in important fields where violations of minority rights can occur can be provided by the ombudsman for the relevant actors in those fields. Good practice codes will, on the one hand, help actors to avoid violation of the rights of minorities, and on the other hand, they may also provide guidance on how to improve equality of opportunity for the members of disadvantaged minority groups, how to design appropriate and acceptable affirmative action programs etc., and how to monitor policies. This work should be based on international standards, including the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The ombudsman should ensure that international standards for the protection of minorities are understood and well publicized by government and civil society, including organizations representing minorities. The standards, codes of practice and models of good practice should be publicized in relevant minority languages, and known and enjoyed in all parts of the country. Models of good practice can be a useful learning tool and the ombudsman should ensure that where the office has achieved some success these are well known to potential future clients. This is not being immodest, rather it is a way of building up confidence that members of minorities may usefully refer issues to the ombudsman in the hope of achieving a successful outcome. Similarly it is very important that potential beneficiaries throughout the state know of or may be able to find out about the work of the ombudsman, which issues are within the office’s competences, how to make contact with the ombudsman, what service to expect and, importantly, which issues are outside their competences. The office can play a role in promoting awareness in society of aspects of violations of minority rights, including preparation and distribution of information and materials, and encouraging educators to be sensitive to celebrating diversity in the curriculum. Promotional work can also include lectures at university law schools and suggesting research theses on issues of concern to the ombudsman. Constructive media coverage can help advance thoughtful approaches to difficult issues though this demands a long-term strategy to cultivate sensitive journalists. The Annual Report can be of value to international treaty monitoring bodies such as the Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention or the Committee of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), who 36