Ombudsman Arlene Brock has given a talk on the history of the institution to senior figures in Turks and Caicos.

Ms Brock — who has researched how Ombudsmen have operated across the world over the years — delivered her speech on a visit at the request of Turks and Caicos' complaints commissioner Sadie Jean Williams.

It followed a two-week visit by Mrs. Williams to Ms Brock's office in December 2006.

During her presentation, Ms Brock outlined the 200-year evolution of Ombudsmen, highlighting the principles of independence and fairness.

The first Ombudsman post was created in Sweden in 1809 to safeguard the rights of citizens, but it was many decades before such roles became commonplace. Ms Brock became Bermuda's first Ombudsman in 2005.

Her visit included talks with Turks and Caicos Governor Richard Tauwhare, the Deputy Governor, Attorney General, Speaker of the House of Assembly and Leader of the Opposition among others. It was supported by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

From April 27 to May 3, Mrs. Williams will be in Bermuda for the fifth Biennial Conference of the Caribbean Ombudsman Association.

The Fairmont Hamilton event will be attended by 37 Ombudsmen and scholars from around the world, including ten from the Caribbean as well as Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Gibraltar, Honduras, Netherlands, South Africa, Uganda, the UK and the US.

Monday, April 28, will explore the foundations of good governance and is open to the public. For the programme and registration, call the Ombudsman's office on 296-6541 or visit www.ombudsman.bm.