BackDr Hayden Thomas, an Honorary Life Member of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), first Ombudsman of Antigua and Barbuda, first President of the Caribbean Ombudsman Association (CAROA) and former Vice-President and Board Director of IOI was recently conferred with the Knight Grand Cross of the most Distinguished Order of the Nation (KGCN), a national honour of Antigua and Barbuda.
The Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda made the announcement on the occasion of the celebration of the islands 40th anniversary of political independence on 1 November. The citation mentioned that the honour was in recognition of Sir Hayden’s work in Science, Food Technology, Education, Community and National Development.
In addition to his numerous national commitments, Sir Hayden Thomas was instrumental in the establishment of CAROA. He contributed hugely to the growth and development of the Ombudsman concept not only in the Caribbean and Latin America region but in the Commonwealth at large. He co-edited the seminal book on the ombudsman experience in small and island states, titled: Strengthening Ombudsman and Human Rights Institutions in Commonwealth Small and Island States – The Caribbean Experience (published by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the International Ombudsman Institute in 2000).
Source: Governance and Management Services International (GMSI Ltd.), UK
