17ᵗʰ International Conference of Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces - Conferences

This year’s ICOAF was held under the theme “Building Bridges – Awareness and Outreach Efforts by Ombuds Institutions”. The chosen theme reflected the understanding that the effectiveness and perceived legitimacy of oversight bodies rests on the levels of awareness, understanding, and trust among those their mandate is intended to serve.

Against the backdrop of increasingly diverse and complex operating contexts, heightened public scrutiny of state institutions, and the spread of misinformation, the ability of ombuds institutions to effectively fulfil their mandate depends on building bridges through meaningful outreach and engagement. To this end, participants were invited to explore and reflect on outreach and awareness efforts by ombuds institutions across carefully curated panel sessions, as well as across the various spaces for dialogue provided throughout the conference.

Good practices shared during the conference were compiled and endorsed by participants in a non-binding Conference Statement at the conference’s closing.