Complaints Commissioner Elton Georges is in St. Maarten this week to chair the Seventh Biennial Conference of the Caribbean Ombudsman Association from Sunday through Thursday.
The main discussion topics are public service ethics; human rights; privatising of the public services; and equipping ombudsmen to deal effectively with modern technology, according to a press release from Mr. Georges’ office.
Speakers are to include New Zealand Ombudsman Dame Beverly Wakem, who is president of the International Ombudsman Institute. Ms. Wakem is to address the challenge of ensuring procedural fairness for all citizens “at a time when governance and administration arrangements worldwide are undergoing fundamental change,” according to the press release.
CAROA member Arlene Brock of Bermuda is scheduled to speak on the role of ombudsman institutions in promoting human rights.
Attendees are expected from several ombudsman offices in the Caribbean, including the newly established three-member Complaints Commission of Montserrat, as well as the Netherlands and Sweden.
Mr. Georges left on May 1 for a short holiday and preparatory meetings, according to the press release.
The conference is themed “Towards exemplary public service ethics in challenging times: the role of the ombudsman.”
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