Worldwide
Ombudsmen discuss in Barcelona about private management of public
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Ombudsmen
and experts took part, on 21st and 22nd November in Barcelona, in a
Seminar on "The Defense of Rights and Good Practices in Private
Management of Public Services. The Role of the Ombudsman". The
conference, organized by IOI-Europe (International Ombusdman
Institute), jointly with the Catalan Ombudsman and with Cercle
d'Economia, was opened by the President of the Catalan Government,
Artur Mas. The European Commissionner for Health and Consumer
Policy, John Dalli, delivered the main lecture.
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The
Catalan Ombudsman highlights the role of the ombudsmen as defenders
of rights in hard times |
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According
to Rafael Ribó, the crisis encourages the ombudsmen to be nimbler
and more skilled in the defense of rights, particularly those of the
most deprived people. In a conference held in November by the
Andalusian Ombudsman, on the answers of ombudsman offices when
facing the economic crisis, the Catalan Ombudsman also reminded that
bodies such as United Nations, the European Union and the Council of
Europe have recommended reinforcing ombudsman institutions both
national and local.
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The
Catalan Ombudsman calls for local bodies cooperation |
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On the
occasion of a working session between the Catalan Ombudsman and
representatives of Catalan local bodies, held on 14 November in the
Catalan Parliament, Rafael Ribó took the opportunity to ask to the
local representatives for maximum cooperation in the Catalan
Ombusman's task of supervision. He also reminded them that hindering
the right to information is a serious fault. Over 150
representantives of local bodies, including mayors, town counselors,
town clerks and technical staff, took part in the event.
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Children
denounce social injustice during Children's Rights
Celebration |
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With the
activity of the "complaint", organised by the Catalan Ombudsman,
children who took part in the gymkhana of the Childen's Rights
Celebration Day were given the opportunity to learn to defend their
rights. Together they made a mural with drawings and collages to
claim, amongst others, the right to education, to equality and to
play. The celebration took part on 19 November in Barcelona's
Ciutadella park, in commemoration of Children's Right
Convention.
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Agreement
with the Association of Water Supply |
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The
Catalan Ombudsman and the Association of Water Supply (AAA) signed
on 24 November a collaboration agreement so that the Catalan
Ombusman has access to advise and reports provided by this
Association regarding management of hydraulic resources. The
agreement joins a similar one signed last October by the Catalan
Ombudsmnan and the Catalan Association of Water Services.
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