The Ombuds Blog: Public Input on Creating Public Records Ombuds in Washington State

June 13, 2007

Public Input on Creating Public Records Ombuds in Washington State

Today, Pierce County Councilman Shawn Bunney will host a forum on open government along with the Washington State Attorney General and Auditor. The agenda includes the chance for the public to comment on the duties of a proposed public records ombudsman. (Tacoma News Tribune.)

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Organizational Ombuds

Organizational Ombuds serve as a confidential, independent, neutral and informal dispute resolution resource for a specific entity. They are accessible to a defined population and can advocate for fairness. These unique characteristics distinguish Organizational Ombuds from Classical Ombuds, mediators, arbitrators, and other alternative dispute resolution professionals. The term "Ombuds" is shorthand for "Ombudsman," "Ombudsperson" and "Ombuds Officer," which also are used widely.

Some other variants include:

Austria -- Ombudsstelle

Brazil -- Ouvidor

Croatia -- pravobranitelji

France -- médiateur/defénseur

Germany -- Ombudspersonen

Italy -- difensore

Netherlands -- ombudspersoon

Norway -- ombudet

Poland -- Rzecznik

Portugal -- provedor

Russia -- омбудсмен

Spain -- ombudsman organizacional

Sweden -- studentombud

Switzerland -- ombudsmann

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June 13, 2007

Public Input on Creating Public Records Ombuds in Washington State

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