FCO Announces 2026 Conference

The Forum of Canadian Ombudsman has released details for its 2026 conference. The event will take place at the Delta Hotels Quebec City on October 19-22, 2026. The conference theme is "Ombuds: Institution of Trust - Strengthening Public Confidence" and registration is now open. 

Here are the scheduled speakers:

International Ombudsman Institute Adopts Ethical Principles Guide

IOI, the international association for more than 200 public-sector (Classical) Ombudsman programs in 100 countries, has adopted a new Guide to the Ethical Principles of Ombudspersons and their Staff Members. The document was unanimously approved by the IOI World Board at its May 2026 meeting in Curaçao and is intended to provide a common ethical framework for Ombudsman institutions worldwide. The guide identifies seven core principles that apply to Ombudsman programs regardless of their legal mandate or jurisdiction. It also addresses emerging issues such as accessibility, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence, emphasizing that technology should support, but not replace, human judgment. 

Save the Date for 2027 International Ombud Expo

Organizers have announced that the International Ombud Expo will take place in Willemstad, Curaçao, on May 24-28, 2027, with the theme of "Just Society for All: Celebrating Facilitators and Promoters in a Challenging World." The event follows the second International Ombud Expo, held in Gaborone, Botswana in 2024, which included several Organizational Ombuds (Sana Manjeshwar, Zetu Makamandela-Mguqulwa, Sarah Klaper, and Youssoupha Niang, and IOA Executive Director, Ellen Miller). According to the organizers, the Expo is intended as a global platform for sharing ideas, publications, technology, and governance practices among Ombuds of all types and related institutions. Additional details will be posted when available. (International Ombud Expo.)

Texas Higher Education Ombudsman Lacks Investigation Standards

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board oversees all public colleges in the state, yet it lacks any written policies to ensure its Ombudsman’s investigations are fair or effective. Created in 2025, the Office of the Ombudsman office is tasked with policing state DEI bans and holds the power to recommend that lawmakers defund schools found in violation.

Job Posting: SOS Children's Villages, Jordan

The Austria-based international development organization for children is hiring National Ombuds in the capital city of Amman. The full-time, six-month contract position is expected to report to Sambieni Bienvenu, the SOS Regional Ombuds for West, Central & North Africa.

Zetu Makamandela-Mguqulwa Appointed Cape Town City Ombuds

Earlier this month, Zetu Makamandela-Mguqulwa became the Ombud for South Africa's second largest city. Her first public event celebrated World Consumer Rights Day. Several organizations supported the engagement of the new City Ombud, including the Western Cape Police Ombudsman, the Public Protector South Africa, Community Schemes Ombud Service, and the National Financial Ombud. Makamandela-Mguqulwa, the former inaugural Ombuds for the University of Cape Town, is wide recognized as a leading Ombuds in the region. In 2025, she was honored with the IOA President's Award for her work. (Nova News.) 

AORC and AOMA to Host Global Webinar on ADR Practices

The African Ombudsman Research Centre, in partnership with the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association, will host an international webinar, “Integrating Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) for Effective Case Resolution in Ombudsman Institutions,” on March 3, 2026. These are strategies that Ombuds of all types use routinely in their work. 

Call for Presenters: USOA 2026 Conference in Michigan

The United States Ombudsman Association is seeking plenary and breakout session speakers for its 45th annual conference. The event is set for September 2-4 at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme, Michigan. Speakers should be interested in sharing their knowledge and experience relevant to the Public Service Ombudsman profession and USOA membership is not required.

Online Course Surveys the Ombuds Field

A new course, "Ombudsman: A Unique Role in Dispute Resolution," is now available on Coursera, a global online learning platform that provides access to courses from leading universities and organizations. Developed in partnership with the University of Colorado Boulder, a Coursera partner that served as the academic and production home for the course, and co-curated by Liz Hill and Ken Skodacek, the course offers an accessible introduction to Ombuds roles, models, and the shared values that guide the work across sectors and countries. Nearly 150 ombuds from around the globe participated in and supported the development of the content. The course is designed for those exploring the ombuds field, as well as colleagues, leaders, and decision-makers seeking a clearer understanding of how ombuds programs function.

Bill Angrick: Former IOI & USOA President

William P. "Bill" Angrick II, a leading Classical Ombuds, passed away on December 11, 2025, at the age of 80. Angrick's Ombuds career began in 1978, when he was appointed by the Iowa legislature as the state's Ombudsman. He retired in 2010 after more than three decades in the job. He served as President of both the United States Ombudsman Association (1981 to 1983) and the International Ombudsman Institute (2004 to 2009).

Stephen Colbert Appoints a News Ombudsman

Last week, late night TV talk show host, Stephen Colbert introduced an Ombudsman for his show. This was in response to Paramount's announcement of a Ombudsman for CBS News and Jimmy Kimmel's suspension by ABC. “Apparently, having a conservative overseeing your programming is a way to stay on the air, and I would love to be able to finish out the last season of my show,” Colbert said.

Update: Ombudsman Races to Top of World Standings

After an impressive win at the Juddmonte International Stakes in York, England, the four year old thoroughbred stands alone at the top of Longines World Best Racehorse Rankings. This recognizes Ombudsman as the best active racehorse in competition this year. The four year old colt, is expected to race next at the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar in California on November 1, 2025. (IFHA.)

Update: Paramount Chooses a Unconventional News Ombudsman for CBS

Earlier this week, Skydance Media and Paramount Global fulfilled their promise to the Federal Communications Commission with the appointment of Kenneth Weinstein as the News Ombudsman for CBS. The role, also known as a public editor or readers' representative, is usually a bridge between the public and the newsroom, characterized by independence and impartiality. Qualifications for a News Ombudsman typically include strong journalism experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to act as a neutral and independent investigator. Weinstein is a longtime, conservative policy analyst who has served as an advisor in the Trump administration. AP points out that his resume "bears little resemblance to how this watchdog role has traditionally operated in journalism." (Variety; AP News.) 

Skydance to Replace Paramount's DEI Programs with Ombuds

Earlier this month, Skydance Media and Paramount Global announced a merger forming a new entity known as "Paramount Skydance Corporation." Facing regulatory scrutiny, Skydance promised the Federal Communications Commission that it would disband Diversity Equity & Inclusion programs and appoint an Ombudsman to review “complaints of bias” at Paramount's CBS News for at least two years. Details are scant and it is not clear whether the new Ombuds program would be similar to a traditional News Ombudsman or an Organizational Ombuds. (NBC News; Forbes; Reuters.)

USOA Posts Agenda for 2025 Conference in Colorado

The United States Ombudsman Association has released the agenda for its 44th annual conference on October 22-24, 2025. Set in Vail, Colorado, and open to Ombuds of all kinds, the in-person conference is appealing when IOA's next conference will be virtual. The conference is preceded by two days of training sessions.

Here are highlights of the agenda:

COFO 2025 Annual Conference: Call for Presentations

The Coalition of Federal Ombuds is now accepting proposals for its 2025 Annual Conference on September 12, 2025. The conference will be an all-day hybrid event, with an in-person conference in Alexandria, VA, and a virtual option. Organizers seek proposals for both virtual and in-person presentations.

Ombudsman Wins Prince of Wales's Stakes

On June 18, 2025, Jockey William Buick urged Godolphin’s, Ombudsman, to win the £1 million Prince of Wales’s Stakes on the turf at Royal Ascot in England. The 7-1 colt, a "devastating winner," earned an automatic berth into the Longines Breeders' Cup at Del Mar in California in November 2025. (YouTube.) 

Update: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Reverses Decision to Close Immigration Ombudsman Offices

DHS has announced that it had reversed its decision to close the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman Office, and Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman. The move followed lawsuits challenging the administration's authority to close the programs. Last week, USCIS even opened a search for a Deputy Ombuds. (Democracy Forward; Times of India; USA Jobs.)

Update: Lawsuit Seeks Restoration of Immigration Ombudsman Offices

Yesterday, several human rights advocacy organizations filed suit challenging the Trump administration’s decision last month to close DHS’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman Office, and Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman. The lawsuit is demanding the restoration of these key DHS oversight offices. (Democracy Forward.)

Call for Presenters: USOA 2025 Conference in Colorado

The United States Ombudsman Association is seeking speakers for its 44th annual conference set for October 22-24, in Vail, Colorado. Speakers should be interested in sharing their knowledge and experience relevant to the Public Sector Ombudsman profession and USOA membership is not required.