EU-Twinning Project: Serbian ombudsman institution visits AOB

For years, the AOB has been internationally active fostering the rule of law and supporting the ombudsman family. Among other projects it currently participates in the EU twinning project "Support to the Strengthening of the Serbian Ombudsman". This project aims at helping the young Serbian ombudsman institution in the professionalization of its work. 

After trainings by Austrian experts on the ground in Belgrade the AOB recently welcomed a delegation of the Serbian ombudsman institution in Vienna. From 14 to 16 June 2011 experts of the Serbian institution, that was only founded in 2007, had the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with their Austrian colleagues. 

In several working sessions the Serbian experts gained an insight into the legal basis of the AOB as well as the organizational structure of the different units. The delegation also focused on working procedures in the treatment of complaints and the initiation of investigation procedures. The Serbian visitors also had the opportunity to get to know the basic features of the electronic file management of the AOB. 

Challenges and opportunities of institutional public relations and reporting mechanisms were discussed in subsequent working sessions. The Serbian delegation was particularly interested in the weekly broadcast ORF "Bürgeranwalt” (“Advocate for the People”) The AOB was therefore pleased to offer the guests the opportunity to follow look behind the scenery of such a broadcast.