specific actions taken by the Commission, such as studies and research, opinion polls and surveys, development of indicators and methodologies, collection, development and dissemination of data and statistics, seminars, conferences and experts meetings, organisation of public campaigns and events, development and maintenance of a helpdesk service and websites, preparation and dissemination of information materials (including IT applications and training resources), establishment and facilitation of a stakeholder think-tank providing e ...[+++]xpert advice related to violence, support to other networks of national experts, and analytical, monitoring and evaluation activities.

Actions to improve the coordination of monitoring and enforcement and to improve cooperation between competent authorities, including the development and maintenance of IT tools (e.g. databases, information and communication systems) and the organisation of seminars, conferences, workshops and meetings of stakeholders and experts on enforcement, exchanges of enforcement officials and training, also for members of the judiciary.

In his opinion[12] the EDPS confirms that Regulation provides a solid legal basis for the exchange of information and welcomes the efforts undertaken by the Commission to integrate data protection in the design of the IT-tool as well as in the common handling procedures established for the Network.

100. Recognises that major efforts have been made to modernise the visitors' programme, particularly by improving the tools available to the service (IT/audiovisual support, Visitors' service website) and using human resources more effectively (multilingualism, GEVISITE IT system); is pleased that this has enabled work to be planned more efficiently and allowed the organisation of a series of talks for nationals of the applicant countries; notes that a firm of consultants has been charged with carrying out a study into the quality and impact of the visitors programme and that the study will be available by the end of June 2003; calls ...[+++]on the Secretary-General to provide the Committee on Budgetary Control with a copy of this study;

97. Recognises that major efforts have been made to modernise the visitors' programme, particularly by improving the tools available to the service (IT/audiovisual support, Visitors' service website) and using human resources more effectively (multilingualism, GEVISITE IT system); is pleased that this has enabled work to be planned more efficiently and allowed the organisation of a series of talks for nationals of the applicant countries; notes that a firm of consultants has been charged with carrying out a study into the quality and impact of the visitors programme and that the study will be available by the end of June 2003; calls o ...[+++]n the Secretary-General to provide the Committee on Budgetary Control with a copy of this study;

Under the Travel, Accommodation and Conference facility programme, a series of conferences were held in 2002 to provide detailed explanations about the operation of each system covered by the interconnectivity.