IOI | IOI Board Meeting held in Mérida, Mexico

The annual IOI Board Meeting was held from 14 – 17 May 2018 in Mérida, Mexico. Raúl González Pérez, Mexican Ombudsman and President of the Mexican National Human Rights Commission, and his office generously hosted the event.

IOI Directors from all six regions came together to discuss current affairs, past achievements and future developments and projects. The Board accepted twelve new members from Africa, Asia, Caribbean & Latin America, Europe and North America; eight of which were admitted as Voting members of the IOI.  

It was unanimously agreed that the IOI’s successful programme of regional subsidies will again be made available to members for the membership year 2019/2020. Given the upcoming IOI General Assembly and World Conference to be held in May 2020 in Dublin, Ireland, this year’s subsidies will sponsor the participation of incumbents of offices with lower financial resources at the General Assembly.

Another focus were new training initiatives for the upcoming membership year as well as discussions on a new By-law reform.

Secretary General Günther Kräuter informed the Board that his term as Austrian Ombudsman will end on 30 June 2019. The Board thanked him for all his achievements, acknowledged the positive impact he has had on the institution and gladly accepted his offer to stay IOI consultant for one year. The nomination of the new Secretary General is expected at the beginning of July.

After the fruitful meeting, the IOI Board visited the Mayan pyramid of Chichen Itza, one of the seven world wonders.