Craig Mousin, the former Ombuds at DePaul University, is the author of a new article in Journal of the International Ombuds Association. In "Facilitating Belonging: Ombuds as the Helpful Stranger," Mousin offers a new metaphor for Ombuds and draws upon his years of work as an advocate for immigrants and refugees. The article is the first in a series to be published in a special issue on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Here is the abstract of the article:
Relying on ideas from diplomatic studies and the practice of immigration law, this article proposes a new metaphor for the work of Ombuds: the helpful stranger. The chapter explores how immigration into the United States and migration within, including the ongoing changes in the workforce, intensify the issues of diversity within the workplace. The article then notes the similarities and differences between the work of an attorney and an ombuds. It next provides a brief history of immigration in the United States noting how issues of diversity have been a constant source of debate in this nation. The article develops the concept of the helpful stranger as a description of how independence, impartiality, confidentiality, and informality frame the responsibilities of the ombuds. To support that conclusion, it offers several examples of how the helpful stranger can navigate the difficult discussions regarding DEIB. It concludes with a call to maximize the strengths of the helpful stranger in continuing to enhance belonging in contemporary workplaces.
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