ROLE OF THE AORC IN CAPACITY
BUILDING FOR THE INTEGRITY
INSTITUTIONS
ADV ISHARA BODASING
14 J U N E 2 01 2
INTRODUCTION TO AOMA
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“Ombudsman” ;“legislative commissioner for investigating
citizens’ complaints of bureaucratic abuse”
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AOMA: created in 2003 at African Ombudsman Regional
Conference in Burkina Faso.
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Members are official institutions established through enabling
acts.
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Currently boasts 37 members straddling the six regions
(Northern, Eastern, Central, West, Southern and Indian
Ocean)
Introduction to AORC
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AOMA resolution to establish the African Ombudsman
Research Centre (AORC) at a South African university.
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launched at a high profile event on 15 March 2011 at UKZN
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resource and archive centre of the AOMA, serving as a focal
point for ombudsman offices in Africa
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provision of information and training
AORC’S VISION & MISSION
Vision: provide timely and appropriate support to AOMA
Mission: support AOMA in advancing development of Ombudsman
institution for good governance, rule of law, and human rights.”
Values : Uphold ethics of good management, equality, impartiality,
human dignity, accountability, integrity, responsiveness,
transparency, justice and fairness;
Offering service accountable to AOMA members, providing timeous
support.
The Role of AORC
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Promoting Ombudsmanship & encourage development in Africa;
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Developing professionalism in discharging duties of Ombudsman
office wherever such offices are opened;
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Supporting understanding of, study of best practices & alignment of
role of Ombudsman office with international good practices;
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Collection, storage & dissemination of research & data about the
institution of Ombudsman as it grows in Africa;
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Facilitating exchange of information & experiences among African
ombudsman & planning periodic conferences of AOMA members.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT
Results highlight need for training especially in practical aspects
of operating ombudsman office
Recommended: AORC focus on strengthening operational
capacity of ombudsman organizations by providing
information & training in:
• Understanding of internal practice
• Rectifying maladministration
• Promoting good governance
• Administrative justice/ Law
• Complaint reception
• Investigation
Key features of Strategic Plan
TRAINING PRIORITIES
1. Language communication training: Especially French in
Anglophone countries, and English in Francophone countries
2. Ombudsman: Introduction, history, powers & principles.
3. Investigation techniques- general skills.
4. General complaints management in ombuds offices
(methodology).
5. Leadership and management skills.
6. Good governance training- including administrative law,
applied constitutional law and selected crucial legal topics.
7. Rectifying maladministration: advocacy and other steps
TRAINING PROJECT
Support of GIZ, & Queen Margaret University (Edinburgh) AORC
is offering a training course for investigators in ombudsman
offices
Pilot training from 9 – 13 July 2012 at UKZN Law Faculty,
Durban
Course content:
1. Background, History and Context of the Ombudsman
Institution
2. Complaint Diagnosis and Planning
3. Investigation Skills.
4. Reaching Decisions and Reporting
5. Remedial Action and Learning from Complaints
MOU WITH UKZN
Advocacy encompasses:
 Promoting concept of Ombudsman & encouraging use &
development in Africa.
 Promoting use of Ombudsman as providers of alternative
dispute resolution.
Training, which proposes:
 In-service training of Ombudsman, & education (electronic,
block and mixed), from paralegal level to masters level in
Ombudsman practices for Ombudsman & staff.
 Continuous professional development, enhancement of skills &
improvement of career prospects.
 Sharing of international best practice in ombudsman field.
CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME
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Establishment of short courses, modules and specific content
for the training and advancement of Ombudsman officials
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Forging general linkages with academia for the purpose of
knowledge production, research and capacity building;
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Stream of knowledge products such as working papers on
practical issues in the day to day operation of Ombudsman
offices; and
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Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of AOMA and AORC
objectives.
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Website and other publications
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Publish experiences as notes and intellectual products African Ombudsman Today