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Ombudsmen and mediators at the 20th anniversary celebration in Luanda
Reflection on the Challenges and Advances of Ombudsman in Africa and Latin America marked the second day of the Central Act celebrating the 20th anniversary of the election of Angola's First Ombudsman.
The day was essentially reserved for the International Conference, with the central theme "The Ombudsman: Advances and Challenges".
The speakers at the conference, moderated by the Ombudsman of the Republic of Malawi, Grace Malera, were the Ombudsman of Mozambique, Isaac Chande, the Republic of Zambia, Caroline Sokoni, the Republic of Botswana, Stephen Tiroyakgosi, the Republic of Benin, Pascal Essou, and the Representative of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Márcio Júnior.
The first lecture, on ‘The Ombudsman and the Protection of Prisoners' Rights’, was given by Isaque Chande, who called for legislative reforms to improve prison conditions and to improve the Ombudsman's regular monitoring mechanisms in prison centres.
The second lecture was given by the Ombudsman of the Republic of Zambia and Secretary General of AOMA, Caroline Sokoni, who addressed the topic of ‘The Ombudsman as a Mechanism for Conflict Resolution and the Promotion of Social Peace’. She emphasised that social, economic, cultural and ideological differences can also contribute to conflicts.
The third speaker, the Ombudsman of the Republic of Botswana, *Stephen Basi Tiroyakgosi,* who presented on ‘The Ombudsman and Transparency in Public Administration’, focussed on transparency and accountability as founding principles that ensure that governments operate in an open and responsible manner.
The fourth speaker was the Ombudsman of the Republic of Benin, Pascal Essou, who presented the theme ‘The Ombudsman and the Protection of Vulnerable Groups’, emphasising the protection of these groups.
The fifth and final speaker, the Representative of the Public Defender of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Márcio de Melo, who presented ‘The Ombudsman and the Institute of the Public Defender's Office’, shared his country's experience of protecting citizens' rights.
The event also saw the presentation of Diplomas of Recognition to the institutions that had cooperated most with the Ombudsman over the past year.
At the cutting of the cake, marked by the exchange of gifts by the African Ombudsmen and Mediators, officials with more than 18 years of service to the Ombudsman institution were also honoured.
Source: The Office of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Angola
