CIDR Posts Agenda for 2026 Symposium

The Centre for Informal Dispute Resolution at Saint Paul University in Ottawa has announced the agenda for its 2026 annual symposium. The hybrid virtual and in-person event, "Navigating Crises: The Evolving Role of ADR Practitioners and Ombuds in Turbulent Times," is set for May 11-12, a beautiful time of year in Ottawa. 

Journal of IOA Article Reflects on COVID's Impact

The Journal of the International Ombuds Association has published its first article of 2023. Fred Wright, Workplace Conciliator (Organizational Ombuds) in the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning for Victoria, Australia, recaps his presentation at the 2022 IOA conference. The article is titled: "Reimagining Ombudsing. An Operational Reflection on How the Pandemic has Impacted the Work of Ombuds."

IOA Posts Agenda and Opens Registration for 2023 Conference

Organizational Ombuds will gather in Seattle for the International Ombuds Association 18th Annual Conference on April 3-5, 2023. This the first in-person conference since 2019. IOA cancelled the event in 2020 shortly after the outbreak of COVID and held virtual conferences in 2021 and 2022. The theme considers the role of Ombuds and also hints at the changes in Ombuds practice: "Ombuds as Change Agent? ReEngaging and Transforming Conflict." Registration is now open and now the detailed agenda is available.

IOA Seeks Nominations for 2022 Distinguished Emeriti

The International Ombuds Association is asking its members to submit names for its annual Distinguished Emeritus Award. Most years, the IOA Nominations & Governance Committee recognizes retired Ombuds for their outstanding and dedicated service to the association and Ombuds profession more broadly. Completed nomination forms are due February 11, 2022.

IOA Board Yields to Members' Concerns with Updated Bylaws Proposal

In response to members' concerns, the International Ombudsman Association's Board of Directors announced a new process to amend the IOA Bylaws & Articles of Incorporation. At a special meeting in June, an omnibus package of updates to the bylaws failed to come to a vote in the face of procedural objections from the floor. At follow-up townhalls, members also took issue with the Board's omnibus proposal for changes to multiple bylaws. Since then, the IOA has held multiple meetings to understand the concerns and fashion a response. An email from the entire IOA Board late last week outlined a process to provide more discussion of the changes in advance of another special meeting and then  allow separate votes on individual proposals.

(Guest Post) Doris Campos-Infantino Comments on the Proposed IOA Bylaws

The following commentary was submitted by Doris Cecilia Campos-Infantino, Ombuds at the World Bank Group and former Ombuds at the National Institutes of Health and the Inter-American Development Bank. She served two terms on the IOA Board of Directors and her leadership positions included three terms as Vice President. She has been a speaker at multiple IOA conferences and meetings of the Ombudsman and Mediators of the United Nations & Related International Organizations, and an instructor for IOA's "Ombudsman 101" course.

IOA Posts Details of 2021 Virtual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association has announced the agenda for its 16th annual conference. "Bridging the Distance: Paving the Way for Equity and Justice" (#IOA2021). The conference will offer a fully virtual program over three days, March 22-24, 2021. Registration is now open and a discount is available until the early bird deadline on February 22, 2021.

Nominations Due for 2021 IOA Distinguished Emeriti

The International Ombudsman Association is reviewing nominations for the 2021 Distinguished Emeritus Award. Annually, the IOA Nominations & Governance Committee recognizes retired Ombuds for their outstanding and dedicated service to the association and Ombuds profession more broadly. Completed nomination forms are due January 29. 

IOA Seeks to Update Ethical Framework for Organizational Ombuds

In an announcement sent to its members last week, the International Ombudsman Association revealed proposed new Ethical Principals and Standards of Practice. The revisions are the result of a four-year process and will be implemented after approval by the IOA Board of Directors. Before that, the Board will consider input from IOA members.

COFO Opens Registration for 2020 Conference

The Coalition of Federal Ombudsman has announced more details for its 2020 Annual Conference: "Supporting Others, Supporting Each Other." The virtual event will take place Friday, October 16, 2020, from 8:45 am to 5:15 pm (Eastern) and is free and open to all. The agenda is primarily aimed at federal ombuds practitioners of all models, but includes information and sessions which may be of interest to ombuds and ADR practitioners anywhere, as well as those interested in these fields. 

JIOA: Proposing a Model for Ombuds Supervision

The latest article in the peer-reviewed Journal of the International Ombudsman Association addresses a relatively unexplored topic: how Ombuds should be supervised. The paper was authored by Fred Wright, who piloted the first Organisational Ombudsman program in a government department in Australia, and David Miller, the former Ombuds for the World Health Organization. The full article, "An Initial Enquiry Towards a Model of Supervision and Support for Organisational Ombudsmen," is now available online.

Short Window to Nominate 2020 IOA Distinguished Emeriti

The International Ombudsman Association is soliciting nominations for the Distinguished Emeritus Award. Each year the IOA Nominations and Governance Committee solicits nominations to recognize outstanding and dedicated service to the organization and Ombuds profession. The award was not given in 2019. Completed nomination forms are due January 31. Last year, nominations were due at the end of February.

IOA Announces Agenda for 2020 Conference in Portland

The International Ombudsman Association has released some of the agenda for its 14th annual conference set for Portland, Oregon, March 30 to April 1, 2020. Keynotes and plenary topics have not been announced yet, but break out sessions are now set. More details will be posted when available. Meanwhile, pre-conference trainings are starting to fill up.

It's Time to Nominate the 2019 Distinguished Emeriti

The International Ombudsman Association is soliciting nominations for the Distinguished Emeritus Award. Each year the IOA Nominations and Governance Committee solicits nominations to recognize outstanding and dedicated service to the organization and Ombuds profession. 

IOA Honors 2017 Distinguished Emeriti

At a short ceremony on the first day of its annual conference, the International Ombudsman Association honored four former Ombuds who retired in 2017 or earlier. The award recognizes outstanding and dedicated service to the organization and Ombuds profession. This year's recipients are:

Job Posting (RFP): The Global Fund and Gavi

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the Gavi Vaccine Alliance are seeking proposals for a new Ombudsman program. The position will serve staff, consultants, and interns following IOA standards. The work may be performed remotely, but quarterly travel to Geneva is required. The position reports jointly to the chiefs of both organizations. 

University of Kansas to Host Summer Academic Ombuds Meeting

The 2016 Summer Academic Ombuds Meeting will be held at the University of Kansas on July 25-26. The annual conference provides an opportunity for university and college Ombuds to network, to collaborate on issues, and learn new skills and techniques.

Journal of IOA Publishes Volume 9

The first issue of JIOA's ninth year includes a diverse collection of articles about Ombuds practice and professionalism.  Editors Howard Gadlin and Samantha Levine-Finley write: "For a long time it felt as if ombuds spent more time talking about being ombuds then they spent ombudsing. ... Now our discussions are beginning to change, expand and deepen."

IOA Posts Agenda, Opens Registration for 2016 Annual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association's eleventh annual meeting will take place April 10-13 at the Westin Seattle.  Here's an overview of this year's agenda:

IOA Posts Agenda for Tenth Annual Conference

The International Ombudsman Association will mark its tenth anniversary at an annual conference in Atlanta, April 19-22.  Here's an overview of the conference which will be held at the Sheraton Atlanta: