IOI | History of the IOI – a mission for justice (1978-2018)

In order to commemorate the 40th anniversary of its foundation in 1978, the IOI decided to embark on a publication project and commissioned Professor Richard Carver, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights and Governance at Oxford Brooks University, with the task of writing a “History of the IOI”. More info on how you can order the book here.

The intention of this publication is to portray the history of the IOI and its development in the wider historical context of Ombudsmanship. It incorporates personal narratives, interviews with key personalities and photographs, which makes the book a vivid and lively assessment of the IOI’s genealogy and an interesting and stimulating read.

Mr Carver started his research in the second quarter of 2016. Based upon thorough research in the Vienna archives and interviews with former IOI officials with experience covering the period from the founding of the organization in 1978 to the years after the transfer of the General Secretariat in 2009, he has written a lucid account of the growth of the International Ombudsman Institute.

Carver's book “A Mission to Justice – The International Ombudsman Institute 1978-2018” is essential reading for all who are concerned about human rights and the fair administration of government. It was officially launched on 30 April 2018 at the United Nations in New York by IOI President Peter Tyndall and IOI 1st Vice-President Diane Welborn, who also took a leading role in this project as Chair of the IOI’s Editorial Committee.

Launching the book at the UN in New York provided an opportunity to raise awareness with UN bodies about the relevant role Ombudsman institutions play in the promotion and protection of human rights. As the only global organization of Ombudsman institutions around the world, the IOI will continue its attempt to forger stronger ties with the UN, which until now prioritized the work of NHRIs. In doing so, the IOI is pleased to join forces with regional partner organization, such as the Association of African Ombudsman (AOMA), the Association of Ombudsman of the Francophonie (AOMF), the Federation of Ibero-American Ombudsman (FIO) or the Caribbean Ombudsman Association (CAROA). 

Richard Carver's book on “A Mission to Justice – The International Ombudsman Institute 1978-2018” will be made available to IOI members in the member area of the IOI website.

Print copies can be purchased from the IOI; to do so, please get in touch with the IOI General Secretariat.

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