Adv. Gcaleka to open international webinar on UN resolution concerning Ombudsman, Mediator institutions

Acting Public Protector Adv. Kholeka will on Tuesday, 23 February 2021 be among the participants at an African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) webinar, which is expected to shine a spotlight on the largely untapped potential of institutions such as her office in cultivating a global culture of clean governance, respect for the rule of law and the upholding of human rights.

The virtual dialogue will see experts in Public Protector-type of work unpacking the United Nations’ recent endorsement of the principles that should underpin the role of bodies such as the Chapter Nine institution.

On 16 December 2020, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Ombudsman and Mediator institutions. The resolution represents a validation of the key principles of Ombudsmanship such as independence, objectivity, transparency, fairness and impartiality.

Among the key contributors will be the President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI), Ombudsman and Information Commissioner of the Republic of Ireland, Mr. Peter Tyndall; Secretary-General of the IOI and Ombudsman of Austria, Mr. Werner Amon; and former IOI President and Ombudsman of Namibia, Adv. John Walters.

They will share perspectives with IOI Africa Regional President and Public Protector of Zambia, Hon. Caroline Sokoni; Ombudsman of Morocco, Judge Mohamed Benalilou; and the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Law and Management Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Professor Brian McArthur.

The UKZN-based AORC is a research, information-sharing, capacity-building and advocacy wing of the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA), an umbrella body of institutions such as the Public Protector in Africa. It aims to entrench a culture of good administration, among other things, continent-wide.

Public Protector Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane, who is on a sabbatical until end of March 2021 is AOMA President, a position she was elected to in December 2018. She also chairs the AORC board, which includes among other directors, Prof. McArthur.

The centre was launched by former President Jacob Zuma in 2011. It is fully funded by the South African government through Department of International Relations and Cooperation's African Renaissance Fund.

The webinar will commence at 10:00. Click on this link to register: https://ukzn.zoom.us/j/99443182003?pwd=QzFneWJCKy9oSzBQcTh4Nmk0NDZkZz09