Ontario Ombudsman André Marin and his team presented “Sharpening Your Teeth” in French for the second time on January 23 and 24, 2012. The training was held in Montreal at the invitation of the Quebec Ombudsman/Protectrice du citoyen, Mme. Raymonde Saint-Germain.

The IOI General Secretariat is pleased to present the IOI Annual Report 2010/2011 highlighting developments within the Institute over the past membership year.

Asad Ashraf Malik, Provincial Ombudsman Sindh, has been reappointed for another four years term. The Governor Sindh administered the oath of office to Mr Malik at a ceremony held at the Governor’s House in Karachi on 31^st January, 2012.

Lydie Err (62), Member of Parliament, is the new elected ‘Mediateure’ of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. She succeeds Ombudsman Marc Fischbach and will take office on 1^st February.

The new round of IOI regional subventions has stirred broad interest within the international ombudsman community and the General Secretariat received eight applications for IOI regional subsidies prior to the deadline in mid-January 2012.

A delegation from the Mozambique Parliament visited the Austrian Ombudsman Board and IOI  General Secretariat on 18 January 2011 exploring possibilities for cooperation.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) Publication “The Racial Equality Directive: application and challenges” shows significant progress in this area within the last ten years as well as remaining challenges.

British Columbia Ombudsperson Kim Carter released her 2010/11 Annual Report along with an accompanying news release which can be found at http://www.bcombudsperson.ca/