ROLE OF THE AORC IN CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE INTEGRITY INSTITUTIONS ADV ISHARA BODASING 14 JUNE 2012

INTRODUCTION TO AOMA Ombudsman ; legislative commissioner for investigating citizens complaints of bureaucratic abuse AOMA: created in 2003 at African Ombudsman Regional Conference in Burkina Faso. Members are official institutions established through enabling acts. Currently boasts 37 members straddling the six regions (Northern, Eastern, Central, West, Southern and Indian Ocean) Introduction to AORC AOMA resolution to establish the African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) at a South African university. launched at a high profile event on 15 March 2011 at UKZN resource and archive centre of the AOMA, serving as a focal point for ombudsman offices in Africa provision of information and training

AORCS 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 Promoting Ombudsmanship & encourage development in Africa; Developing professionalism in discharging duties of Ombudsman office wherever such offices are opened; Supporting understanding of, study of best practices & alignment of role of Ombudsman office with international good practices; Collection, storage & dissemination of research & data about the institution of Ombudsman as it grows in Africa; 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 Establishment of short courses, modules and specific content for the training and advancement of Ombudsman officials Forging general linkages with academia for the purpose of knowledge production, research and capacity building; Stream of knowledge products such as working papers on practical issues in the day to day operation of Ombudsman offices; and Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of AOMA and AORC objectives. Website and other publications Publish experiences as notes and intellectual products - African Ombudsman Today