BackOn 18 May 2020 the IOI Board of Directors held its annual meeting to identify and discuss projects and priorities for the upcoming membership year. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Board held its annual meeting by electronic means for the first time.
One of the main topics discussed by the Board at every meeting, are membership matters and membership applications. Pursuant to the IOI By-laws, membership applications are first discussed by the IOI Executive Committee, which then presents its recommendations for each application to the IOI Board of Directors. After thorough discussion, the Board then makes the final decision on each application.
At the electronic meeting 2020, the Board agreed to approve Voting membership for:
- Administrative Control Authority (ACA) of Libya (African Region)
- Military Ombud of South Africa (African Region)
- Ombudsman of the Philippines (Asian Region)
- Seoul Metropolitan Government Citizens’ Ombudsman Commission (Asian Region)
- High Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian Federation (European Region)
- Citizens’ Representative Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada (North American Region)
- Northwest Territories Ombud, Canada (North American Region)
The Board further followed a recommendation from the Executive Committee to grant regular membership to the Ombudsperson Balochistan for the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace in Pakistan (Asian Region).
The IOI welcomes its new members to the international Ombudsman community and is looking forward to a close and fruitful cooperation in the years to come.
