Report of the FCO Research Committee
at the 2009 Annual General Meeting

The FCO Research Committee will facilitate practical understandings of the Ombudsman concept and useful applications of Ombudsman methods through research by engaging academics, the public and those who practice. The committee commenced its work in late 2005.

2008/2009 Goals:

1. By the end of fiscal 2008 the committee will seek out and identify possible partners for accomplishing and funding the FCO research agenda and make partnering recommendations to the Board. (Ongoing)
2. By October 15 2008, the committee will initiated and completed a Call for Papers (CFP) and identified a wining recipient of the 2008 FCO Liz Hoffman Ombudsperson Research Award. (Completed)
3. By April 2 2009 the committee will have received and posted the 2008 FCO Liz Hoffman Ombudsperson Research Award paper on the FCO website, fulfilling the commitment of FCO to the FCO Liz Hoffman Ombudsperson Research Award. (Completed)
4. By May 30 2009 the FCO Research Committee will have recommended and obtained approval from the new Board for a 2009 FCO Research Award CFP inquiring into the topic of Ombudsman currency in Canada (to be completed).

2008/2009 Activities and Accomplishments

Opened a primary channel for distribution of FCO research calls to the academic research community in Canada through new contact with Head of Research at Royal Roads University Victoria BC. June 2008

Submitted and obtained board approval of Committee recommendation for restructured Award to fulfill FCO commitment to FCO Liz Hoffman Ombudsperson Research Award. (June 08)

Drafted and distributed research Call for Papers inquiring into the topic What is an Ombudsman in Canada to complete phase 1 of the FCO Research Agenda (August 08).

Conducted a blind review process for one full day with all members of the Research Committee participating and selected the winning recipient of the 2008 FCO Liz Hoffman Ombudsperson Research Award (October 2008).

Administered the process for completion and presentation of the paper including: initial meeting with the author, reviewed initial draft and subsequent draft after substantial revisions, suggested edits for the final draft, received a final paper much longer than originally envisioned, then sourced, arranged, negotiated and facilitated completion and review of English to French translation, arranged draw payments to the author for the Award and the invoice for translation, sourced 3 panel participants responding to the paper and coordinated receipt of their responses, arranged English to French translation of responses, distributed English and French versions of the paper to the Board and arranged posting of both version of the FCO website. (Nov 08-Mar09)

2009 Strategies:

Complete phase 2 of the FCO research agenda by issuing and administering a FCO Research Award Call for Papers inquiring into the topic Ombudsman currency in Canada. Establish award at $10,000 not including GST/PST and a total budget for the award including translation at $13,000.

Add at least one more member to the FCO Research Committee

Link research priorities where appropriate to training and education needs

Future Year strategies

Reach out to other Ombudsman groups in Canada and elsewhere to keep abreast of Ombudsman Case Law in Canada, literature reviews and Ombudsman Law and Practice in Canada.

Research Agenda (first approved by the FCO Board in 2006)

The committee developed four topic areas for research that will help us realize practical understandings and useful applications of Ombudsman in Canada through research. This agenda is meant to guide our efforts for the medium term, at least five years.

1. What makes an Ombudsman? The interface of historical and evolving boundaries, structures, tasks, methods and practitioners as instruments of fairness and social justice in Canada. (Research Completed and delivered April 2009).
2. Ombudsman Independence: Managing distance and proximity in relations with stakeholders in Canada
3. Ombudsman Currency: Acceptance, effectiveness, awareness and impact of the role and the practitioner in Canada.
4. Ombudsman Professionalism: Leveraging research for learning needs analysis, learning methods and learning solutions for practitioners in Canada.

Committee Members
Ian Darling (Board liason)
Nora Farrell
Dave McNabb (Committee Chair)
Patrick Robardet