International Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice
Geneva, Switzerland

2-Day Course

Sunday, 22 October & Monday 23 October 2023 | 08:00 – 16:00

The International Ombuds Association (IOA) warmly invites you to this special opportunity to attend IOA’s Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice course taking place at the Hotel Royal Geneva, from Sunday 22 – Monday 23 October 2023. The course and materials will be presented in English. This international course will be held for the first time in Switzerland.

Online pre-registration is now closed.

Course Description

Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice is offered multiple times each year in various locations, and online. The course covers the fundamentals of the organizational ombuds role based on the principles of confidentiality, neutrality, independence, and informality. Learn how to work with visitors to an office as well as how to act as a change agent within your organization. Practice key ombuds skills of listening, asking questions, clarifying, generating options, and moving to actions throughout the ombuds process. In addition, an experienced and highly committed faculty of ombuds will share best practices around setting up an office and evaluating and communicating the effectiveness of the office.

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Who Should Attend:

The course is designed for recently appointed ombuds. Its objectives are to help new practitioners: 

• Recognize the dimensions and parameters of the organizational ombuds role
• Reflect on their own personal relationship to the role
• Develop basic skills to perform the role effectively
• Learn best practices
• Identify resources to learn more
• Build a community of practice

This course applies to ombuds programs in organizational settings. It does not address some features unique to other models of ombuds practice, such as classical, advocate, or legislative.

Additional Details

Course Limit

36

Prerequisites

None

Professional Development Hours (PDH)

This course has been approved for 15 Professional Development Hours towards recertification of the Candidate for CO-OP® and CO-OP® credentials.

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Registration

Registration Rates:

• $1795 USD IOA Members
• $2095 USD Non-Members

Travel and Hotel Information

Course Location:
Hotel Royal
Rue de Lausanne 41, 1201 
Genève, Switzerland

All course activities and meals will take place at the Hotel Royal. The course fee does not include travel expenses or the cost of accommodations. A limited number of rooms are available at the hotel special discounted room rate. Buffet breakfast is included at the room rate.

Discounted Rates:

• CHF 260 per room and per night in single occupancy, plus 3.75 tax
• CHF 285 per room and per night in double occupancy plus 3.75 tax

Housing arrangements should be made directly with the hotel once you've received a registration confirmation.

Cut-off dates for booking rooms at the discounted rate: 19 September 2023

Book now

Questions?