Hong Kong ombudsman creates global academy to help fight sloppy administration

Hong Kong’s ombudsman has established an international academy to help prevent maladministration, as a minister urged officials to respond to residents’ complaints with an “open mindset” and turn them into momentum for improvement.

The Hong Kong International Ombudsman Academy would take the form of an online platform offering thematic events for government departments, public organisations and overseas watchdog organisations, officials said on Monday.

“The academy provides an interactive platform that fosters internal and external exchanges through seminars and workshops,” Ombudsman Jack Chan Jick-chi said at the academy’s opening ceremony.

Chan said the academy would organise seminars and workshops on various topics helpful to the 106 government departments and public organisations covered by his office.

The initiative was also expected to deepen ties between the Office of the Ombudsman and watchdogs for overseas governments.

“The departments and agencies will also share their own experiences for each other’s reference, so as to prevent maladministration and improve governance in joint efforts,” he said. “I believe that prevention is better than cure.”