The Office of The Ombudsman officially launched the International Ombudsman Academy (IOA) on Monday, establishing a virtual training hub to promote global best practices in public administration and complaint handling.
At the inauguration ceremony, Ombudsman Jack Chan Jick-chi hailed the academy as a “milestone”.
He said the initiative aligns with broader government reform goals, including the promotion of mediation to resolve civil disputes and enhance cross-departmental collaboration.
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Chan said that the academy will also serve as a key exchange platform for administrators in Hong Kong and worldwide, offering crucial training for government agencies and public bodies to handle public complaints more effectively.
Since assuming office in April 2024, Chan has championed the use of mediation for complaints involving minor or no administrative fault. The IOA will advance this mission by organizing seminars and workshops aimed at preventing administrative misconduct and strengthening the office’s ties with international regulatory bodies.
Operating as a virtual entity without a physical address, the academy requires no new government funding or staff, instead using existing personnel from the Ombudsman’s Office.
In his keynote speech at the ceremony, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki praised the efficient model as an example for all government departments.
He said that a strong oversight system is fundamental to social progress, urging civil servants to view public feedback as motivation for improvement.
He said the school can help Hong Kong tell its own stories to a global audience by sharing our experiences and working methods.
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Chan also endorsed mediation as an emerging trend that contributes to societal harmony. He said that many complaints stem not from mistakes, but from misunderstandings.
“Mediation can help the public better understand the government's work and its challenges,” he said, highlighting a two-year Department of Justice program that trains property management personnel to resolve common neighborhood disputes through mediation, such as water seepage issues and interpersonal friction.
By introducing a neutral third party to clarify misunderstandings and guide communication, mediation offers a constructive and efficient alternative for settling disagreements, he said.
Contact the writer at lilei@chinadailyhk.com
