European Ombudsmen Gather in Belfast

Senior Ombudsmen from across the British Isles and Europe gathered in Belfast recently to discuss the growing role of Ombudsman services in delivering accountability in both emerging and mature democracies.

The British and Irish Ombudsman Association (BIOA) annual meeting was hosted in NI for the first time and was attended by approximately 150 senior representatives from Ombudsman and Commissioner offices across Europe.

Northern Ireland Ombudsman Dr Tom Frawley CBE, who has partnered with BIOA to host the AGM, was delighted to welcome this prestigious international event to Belfast.

“It was a real honour to play host to an event of this standing, particularly given the profile of the attendees. We were especially delighted with the wide ranging content of the workshops which covered topics such as ‘engaging with the media’, ‘data protection’ and ‘performance management’. With panel speakers including Northern Ireland Human Rights Commissioner, Professor Michael O’Flaherty, and Richard Thomas, Chair of the UK Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council, exploring the link between Ombudsman and Human Rights and the Administrative Justice landscape respectively, the workshops and plenary sessions were first class.”

The event has also attracted the attention of international officials including European Ombudsman P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, Gibraltar Public Services Ombudsman Mario Hook and Catalan Ombudsman Rafael Ribó - which was particularly significant for BIOA and for Belfast as the host city. Read more.