Southern Africa Ombudsmen meet in Gaborone next week

Staff Writer | Thursday November 24, 2011 00:00

It will officially be opened by Mokgweetsi Masisi, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration.

The regional meeting is a preparation for the Association's General Assembly in Mali in February 2012.

The African Ombudsman & Mediators Association (AOMA) exists to support and protect the independence and development of African Ombudsman institutions by promoting information exchanges and best practices for the advancement of good governance and human rights in Africa. The Vision of the Association is: 'To be a respected and professional association for the promotion of Open, Accountable and Democratic Governance.'

The meeting is profoundly significant in the history of the Botswana Ombudsman Office, as this will be the country's first time to host an event of this magnitude, specifically International Ombudsman Associations.

In addition to this, the meeting will ensure the country gains points in the international governance ratings and afford Botswana an opportunity to interact with other Ombudsmen in the Southern African Region, as well as share country experiences on 'Ombudzing'.