the ombudsman service is networked

Concertation permanente des ombudsmans et médiateurs (ombudsman.be)

The network of ombudsmen and ombudswomen in Belgium currently comprises 26 member institutions from all sectors: Federal State, regions, communities, cities and municipalities, public companies and the private sector. If you do not address your complaint to the right ombudsman, he will forward it directly to his competent colleague. The members of the network combine four main characteristics:- an ombudsman is independent of the administration or organization against which he or she receives complaints;- an ombudsman has investigative powers;- an ombudsman issues opinions and recommendations;- an ombudsman publishes a public report on his or her activities at least once a year.The main objectives of the network are:- to make the ombudsmen known,- to improve access to their services for the public,- to strengthen cooperation and ensure the exchange of knowledge and experience.The network is officially called the Permanent Consultation of Ombudsmen and Ombudsmen (CPMO). Composition of the Board of Directors: Marc Bertrand (Mediator of Wallonia and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation) as President, Paul De Maeyer (Ombudsman for the postal sector) as Treasurer, Mary-Maud Anciaux (Ombudswoman of the municipality of Courcelles), Karla Blomme (Omudsvrouw Stad Antwerpen), Marlene Hardt (Ombudswoman of the German-speaking Community of Belgium), Tony Van der Steen (Ombudsman Pensioenenenen), Cynthia Vanderlinden (Ombudsvrouw Ombudsrail).

International Ombudsman Institute (IOI)

The IOI is the only organization for cooperation between independent ombudsman institutions in more than 90 countries worldwide. The IOI promotes the creation and development of ombudsman institutions and standards. It funds studies, provides training, promotes the exchange of information and the sharing of knowledge through a permanent dialogue with the main international organizations and interested parties.link:

European Network (NEIWA)

Government organizations from different European countries have established a network to collaborate and share knowledge in the field of whistleblowing and integrity. The founding meeting took place in The Hague on May 24, 2019, at the initiative of the Dutch Whistleblowing Authority. The new network is called Network of European Integrity and Whistleblowing Authorities (NEIWA). The participating organizations are:

European Network of Ombudsman ENO

The European Network of Ombudsmen consists of over 95 offices in 36 European countries. The Network includes the national and regional ombudsmen and similar bodies of the Member States of the European Union, the candidate countries for EU accession and other countries of the European Economic Area, as well as the European Ombudsman and the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament. The national ombudsmen and similar bodies in the network have each appointed a liaison officer to act as a point of contact for other members of the network. The Network was established in 1996 and has steadily developed into a powerful cooperative tool for ombudsmen and their staff, serving as an effective mechanism for cooperation in case handling. It is of particular importance to the European Ombudsman in enabling him to deal quickly and effectively with complaints that do not fall within the scope of the hermandate. Exchange of experience and best practice takes place through seminars and meetings, a regular newsletter, an electronic discussion forum and a daily electronic news service. Visits by the European Ombudsman, organized by the ombudsmen in the Member States and the candidate countries, have also proved very effective in developing the network.link:

Human Rights Platform

Participation in the Plateforme des Droits de l'homme serves to improve acquaintance and exchange between actors specialized in the field of human rights, e.g. the interfederal body Unia or the High Council of Justice. Participation in the platform makes it easier for the ombudswoman to find the right contact person for complaints for which she herself is not responsible, e.g. a complaint about the refusal to allow the public prosecutor to inspect files.

Ombudsmen of Switzerland, Ombudsmen of Vorarlberg, Tyrol and South Tyrol

The Ombudsperson of the German-speaking Community of Belgium is in regular exchange with other German-speaking Ombudspersons.