JOINT OMBUDSMAN CONFERENCE

"EVOLUTION OF THE OMBUDSMAN [1809-2009]: A RICH HISTORY, A PROMISING FUTURE"

The first- ever joint conference of the FCO, ACCUO and the IOA took place in Montreal from April 15-18, 2009. This groundbreaking event was extremely successful, attracting more than 300 people from around the world.

The conference was held in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the creation of the Ombudsman in Sweden in 1809. Titled "Evolution of the Ombudsman: A Rich History, A Promising Future", the conference provided 3 keynote speeches and 28 workshop sessions covering a wide range of ombudsman issues.

One highlight of the conference was U.B.C. law professor Michelle LeBaron's presentation of her research paper "Watchdogs and Wise Ones in Winter Lands". Professor LeBaron's paper, commissioned by FCO's Research Committee, set the tone of the conference with this statement: "Canadian values of welcoming diversity and fostering collaboration seem to be guiding steps forward". Professor LeBaron praised Canadian ombudsman practices of "adaptive design informed by multicultural realities" and noted that Ombuds offices are even more necessary in these difficult economic times when we need to focus not just on addressing problems but also on preventing them.

The FCO held its annual general meeting during the conference and elected a new board of directors and a new slate of officers. The new board will be meeting soon to plan an ambitious agenda for the next two years. Watch this web site for news of upcoming events.

Archived information

Please come join us for a meeting of the minds of three organizations to highlight the 200th anniversary of the creation of the role of the modern ombudsman in Sweden in 1809. Be part of a celebration of the past and present, and help shape an exciting future by participating in a stimulating joint conference in picturesque downtown Montréal next April.

• Detailed Conference Brochure and Registration Form
• Conference Agenda-at-a-Glance
• Conference Session Abstract Details
• General Conference Information
• Pre-Conference Information
• Canadian Sponsorship Programs and Form
• Social Evening in Old Montréal - Please email this form

Register Here:

• Online Registration for Pre-Conference Courses (Credit Cards Only)
• Online Registration for the General Conference (Credit Cards Only)
• "Paper Registration Form" for mailing / faxing

• Speaker Bios

Conference Schedule:

Hotel Information:

Hotel Reservations:

To receive the group rate you must make your hotel reservations by Wednesday, March 11, 2009.

• Make your hotel reservations by calling the numbers below:
  Reservations Department at 514-861-3511 or the Global Reservations Centre at 1-800-441-1414.

The Hotel is offering a special group rate as noted below. Please note the room rate is posted in Canadian Dollars. To convert Canadian Dollars click here for a currency converter online http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic