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Caribbean Seminar on the Role of the Ombudsman

29 January 2004

 Seminar on Ombudsman held in 2003
"to establish offices in countries where such institutions are non-existent".
A Commonwealth seminar has called upon governments of the Caribbean region to support the promotion of the ombudsman as an integral part of good governance and democracy.

The seminar on 'The Role of Ombudsman in the Fostering of Good Governance and Democracy' was held from 12 to 15 January 2004 in St Kitts and Nevis to encourage, offer support and share information with countries in the region contemplating the establishment of such institutions. It was attended by Ombudsmen, former Ombudsmen and representatives of governments from the Caribbean and some African countries.

In a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the seminar, participants urged Caribbean governments "to establish offices in countries where such institutions are non-existent".

The seminar reviewed the role of the ombudsman in the governance architecture of the region and considered appropriate models of implementation of such institutions in small states. It provided an opportunity for promoting public knowledge and understanding of the ombudsman concept in the Caribbean and a deeper appreciation of its integral role to good governance. It also gave civil servants, representatives of civil society and other key stakeholders a platform to share experiences on implementation.

The seminar, which was organised by the Governance and Institutional Development Division (GIDD) of the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Caribbean Ombudsman Association (CAROA), was hosted by the Office of the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis. Funding was provided by the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation.

"It is self-evident that institutions such as the ombudsman are inevitable for the realisation of the goals of our Heads of Government," said Professor Victor Ayeni, Director of GIDD, in an address to the seminar. "The institution has clearly become indispensable to any country serious about establishing a genuinely accountable government that serves the best interests of its people."

Representatives of regional organisations such as CARICOM (the Caribbean Community), the Organisation of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the OAS and the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights were also present to share their perspectives and experiences on the issue.

The keynote address was delivered by Sir Probin Inniss, former Governor-General of St Kitts and Nevis, and closing remarks by the Attorney-General of St Kitts and Nevis, Mr Delano Bart.

View the full seminar communiqué on the Commonwealth website, here.

 

 

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