Ombudsman facilitates symposia in the Turks & Caicos Islands

GREAT BAY, The Ombudsman of Sint Maarten, Gwendolien Mossel, assisted by the Secretary-General, Randolf Duggins, recently facilitated two symposia held in the Turks & Caicos Islands on the topic: ‘the task of the Ombudsman and its role in society’.

Ms. Mossel, who is currently the President of the Caribbean Ombudsman Association (CAROA), was requested by the recently appointed Ombudsman of the Turks & Caicos Islands, Ms. Rita Gardiner, to facilitate the symposia. Considering that the request falls in line with the vision of her presidency to strengthen the association and its influence within the region, Ms. Mossel willingly accepted the invitation.

CAROA presently consists of seventeen (17) countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Saint Martin, Saint Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, and the Netherlands (BES).

The first symposium was held on the island of Grand Turk and the second was on Providenciales. Attendees were primarily civil servants and NGO’s. Ms. Mossel and Ms. Gardiner were very satisfied with the success of the symposia in terms of the turnout and participation of the audience. As Ms. Gardiner indicated, the information provided left them more knowledgeable about the institution and tasks of the Ombudsman and instilled confidence in the staff of her office to move forward.

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Government to act on the concerns of the people
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