machinery had performed a parallel effort. Thanks to that co-operation, it had been possible to include information from 33 countries in the report, which covered not only the epidemiological aspects, but also ethical issues and management problems. 29. Participants welcomed the results of the European Meeting for Heads of Prison Administrations, held at Messina and Rome, from 6 to 12 November 1989. The Meeting had been organized by the Ministry of Justice of Italy in co-operation with the International Centre of Sociological, Penal and Penitentiary Research and Studies and the Henry Dunant Institute. The Meeting, convened under United Nations auspices and with the support of the Helsinki Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI), had adopted the Rome Declaration (E/AC.57/1990/NGO.1, annex). 30. The Committee was informed that the Rome Declaration, the provisions of which aimed at strengthening European co-operation in penitentiary matters, could be submitted to the Eighth Congress for possible follow-up. In that connection, the observer for Poland informed the Committee that, subject to further consultations, his country intended to host, under United Nations auspices, the next European Meeting for heads of prison administrations. 31. The Committee discussed item 5 (topic III) of the provisional agenda for the Eighth Congress and noted with concern the continued growth in the frequency and gravity of transboundary crime, a trend that represented a grave threat to most societies, regardless of their different cultures, political systems or social institutions. New approaches were urgently needed and an intensification of international co-operation was indispensable. The Congress could make a very valuable contribution in that respect. The draft model treaties on mutual assistance and extradition were steps in the right direction. 32. The repres ive of the Office of Legal Affairs briefed the Committee on the latest developments concerning the issue of international terrorism, which was a 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing international cooperation and policy related to prisons and crime prevention, with a focus on European countries. The language used is formal and bureaucratic, suggesting a report or document from an international organization or government agency. The text mentions specific international meetings and declarations, which further supports this analysis.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, International relations