The Ombuds Blog: SOS Children's Villages Names Inaugural Ombuds

April 03, 2023

SOS Children's Villages Names Inaugural Ombuds

Dona Houansou has been appointed the first National Ombudsperson for the Austria-based international development organization that provides aid and advocacy for children. Initial descriptions of the position were vague, but Houansou explains that it will be an Organizational Ombuds serving children, young adults, and staff in Benin.

Houansou comes to the position after nine years as the Youth Program Officer for Hunger Free World Bénin. She earned a Bachelor's degree and two Masters at Université d'Abomey-Calavi. (SOS News; LinkedIn.)

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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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April 03, 2023

SOS Children's Villages Names Inaugural Ombuds

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