As a forum
for Ombudsman Institutions, the IOI World Conference once again enabled
colleagues from around the world to meet and to share their experience and
expertise; an opportunity particularly important in times of change and
political, social, economic and technological challenges.
The 10th IOI World Conference paved the way for further strengthening the IOI as the leading organization within the international Ombudsman community. In its attempt to become more inclusive and to achieve greater openness towards Ombudsman institutions and their equivalent around the world, the IOI initiated a reform process and reviewed and revised its existing by-laws with the aim of establishing revised membership criteria and declare what the Institute stands for, i.e. include an International Ombudsman Standard in its by-laws.
In a transparent process involving the whole membership and carefully considering suggested amendments and ideas put forward, the IOI Board of Directors put forward a draft document of new by-laws to the General Assembly on 13 November 2012 for vote. These new by-laws were approved by the General Assembly with the overwhelming majority of 96,3% in favor.
The IOI Board of Directors is convinced that this new set of by-laws will govern the IOI's operations in a changed and changing world and would like to - once again - express its gratefulness for the support and assistance from the whole membership during this very important reform process.
Making the government accountable
Keeping governments transparent and accountable was the main message of a series of meetings held last week in Wellington, New Zealand.
More than 250 - Ombudsmen and Ombudswomen, deputies and complaint-handling investigators from around the world attended the 10th International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) Conference under the theme: Speaking Truth to Power - The Ombudsman in the 21st Century.
Tonga was represented by the Acting Commissioner for Public Relations, Mr Sateki ?Ahio, and Senior Investigator Pilimisolo Tamo'ua. The Acting Commissioner has a similar investigative role to an ombudsman; taking complaints from members of the public about the actions of government and officials.
Tonga also participated in the annual members' meeting of the Pacific Ombudsman Alliance (POA). The intent of POA is to provide a service delivery and mutual support organisation for Ombudsman and allied institutions of countries that are members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
The POA supports activities that assist its members to improve public administration in their countries. The members approved several new activities at the meeting, including a proposal for the Acting Commissioner and members of his staff to spend time in 2013 working with, and learning from, the Office of the New Zealand Ombudsman.
The meeting also offered pre-conference workshops on "Sharpening Your Teeth" - principles of effective investigations -? and "Managing Unreasonable Complainant Conduct" - identifying and managing difficult people.
Mr ?Ahio said: "I found the week of meetings and discussion very useful for me to learn how to be most effective in my new role. It has also shown that the proposed legislative amendments, to create an Ombudsman in Tonga, will be an important step in improving public administration and government accountability." Mr ?Ahio also thanked POA for funding his attendance at these meetings, and it's commitment for continuing assistance.
The Rt Hon Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1999-2008, was the first of a number of high profile and distinguished speakers who were present to offer their support for the Ombudsman offices - seeing it as a vital way forward in combating corruption and calling government administrations to account.
The work of the Ombudsman as an integrity and accountability oversight body is very important and vital to every government.
"Lack of integrity and accountability can be corrosive to the governance and resources of the whole country," The Rt Hon. Clark warned.
"Building inclusive and responsive government is essential for human development, empowerment and justice with dignity," said Clark, who is now the Administrator of the UN Development Program.
The IOI conference also coincide the 50th anniversary of the NZ Ombudsman, the first English-speaking nation to adopt the concept outside the Scandinavian countries.
Former NZ Ombudsman and former Governor-General of New Zealand Anand Satyanand was also a speaker and so as former NZ Ombudsman Sir Brian Elwood, former NZ Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer.
ENDS
Issued by the: Office of the Public Relations Commission, Nuku'allofa, 2012 16 November 2012.
Source: http://www.mic.gov.to/news-today/press-releases/4140-ioi-10th-world-conference-new-by-laws
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