BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – The Caribbean Ombudsman Association (CAROA) began a four-day symposium here on Monday aimed at strengthening regional cooperation, professional development, and the long-term sustainability of Ombudsman institutions across the Caribbean
The event is being held under the theme “Building Sustainable Futures: Preparing the Path for the Strengthening of CAROA,” and is under the chairmanship of Dr. Nigel L. Taylor, SCM, JP, the Ombudsman of Barbados and the CAROA president.
According to the organizers, among the key areas for discussion during the symposium will be institutional capacity-building training and professional development, regular capacity-building initiatives for ombudspersons and staff focused on emerging human rights issues, and conflict resolution and principles of good governance.
Developing and disseminating harmonized operational frameworks to strengthen consistency among Ombudsman offices across the region, as well as investing in modern case management systems and secure digital platforms to enhance efficiency and accessibility, will also be discussed.
The organizers said that advocating for stronger legislative frameworks that safeguard the independence and authority of Ombudsman institutions, supporting laws that encourage transparency, and protecting those who expose wrongdoing will also be discussed during the symposium.
“The Office of the Ombudsman stands as a pillar of transparency and accountability, serving as the voice of the marginalized and a vigilant watchdog in ensuring adherence to established policies, procedures, and guidelines. It remains steadfast in its advocacy for fairness, equity, and justice within the governance framework,” according to a statement issued here.
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