The 26th Australasian and Pacific Ombudsman Region Conference kicked off in Taipei City, attracting 150 participants from 20 member states, according to the Control Yuan March 24.
“We are honored to host the event and exchange views with ombudsmen from around the world,” Control Yuan President Wang Chien-shien said at the opening ceremony. “These interactions will deepen international understanding of Taiwan’s social and economic developments, as well as its exercise of power.”
The three-day event is the first APOR conference hosted by Taiwan since its accession to the International Ombudsman Institute in 1994. Topics to be discussed at the event include good governance, freedom of information, judicial issues and children’s rights.
“Taiwan is a long-standing member of the institute and in the past years has made various contributions,” IOI President Beverley Wakem said, adding that the conference will strengthen member bonds on the issues of justice and the rule of law.
Established in 1978, the IOI is a Vienna-headquartered nongovernmental organization that seeks to promote the concepts of ombudsmanship and human rights protection. The APOR is one of six regional bodies under the IOI. (JSM)
Write to Elaine Hou at elainehou@mail.gio.gov.tw