BackThe Executive Committee of African Ombudsman & Mediators Association (AOMA) gathered in the Sheraton Hotel, Addis Ababa from 15 to 16 September 2011 for an Executive Committee Meeting and the African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) Board meeting for the first time following the launch of the Research Centre in Durban South Africa on the 15th of March 2011 in line with the AOMA constitution. The meeting was hosted by the Ethiopian Institution of the Ombudsman (EIO) led by Honourable Fozia Amin who ensured flawless proceedings from arrival to departure of guest.
The EXCO deliberated on the achievements of AOMA over the past few years as well as establishing a road map into the future. One of the biggest achievements of AOMA is the establishment of Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) which is hosted by the Law School of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. As such the Executive Secretary’s report touched on developments at AORC since its high powered launch in March 2011 as well as tabling the Launch report (herewith attached). EXCO decided the AORC becomes the secretariat which carries out the daily administration of the Association be located at the Research Centre.
EXCO called upon the Research Centre to place AOMA on the map in terms of good governance and human rights work in the continent through research and capacity building of Ombudsman staff as well as interaction with other bodies across the world. This will include coordinating and conducting experience sharing programs among member countries. The Association would like to see the Research Centre studying activities, obligations and challenges of Ombudsman/Mediators institutions across the continent.
Source: AORC Secretariat, Durban, South Africa.
