Reimagining Childhood: Groundbreaking Webinar on Strengthening Children’s Ombudsman Offices
The African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC), the research and training arm of the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AOMA), is housed within the School of Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
As part of its commitment to strengthening governance and promoting human rights, the AORC recently hosted a thought-provoking webinar on the role and impact of Children’s Ombudsman offices.
Held in collaboration with child rights experts, the session shed light on the challenges, responsibilities, and transformative potential of these institutions in championing children’s rights. The event saw an overwhelming response, with 414 registered participants from 62 countries across six regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America, and the Caribbean. This broad engagement reflects a growing global interest in AORC’s training programmes and its dedication to strengthening child-focused governance.
The session was chaired by Honourable Major General Oswald Reddy, Police Ombudsman for the Western Cape. It brought together distinguished speakers who highlighted the urgent need for better co-ordination, stronger advocacy, and more inclusive child participation.
Honourable Anita Ghoorah, Ombudsman for Children in Mauritius, emphasised the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the best interests of the child. ‘We need a co-ordination mechanism that allows all stakeholders to work together to uphold the best interests of the child,’ she said. She stressed that effective child advocacy requires timely interventions, awareness campaigns, and continuous capacity-building among institutions.
Honourable Stans Goudsmit, Ombudsman for Children in Rotterdam, Netherlands, highlighted the need for persistence and courage in advocating for children, particularly those who struggle to voice their concerns. ‘We must be brave and persistent because not all children are trained to voice their opinions,’ she said. ‘We need to help them.’
She presented real-life case studies demonstrating how children’s ombudsman offices can create safe spaces for children to express their views and receive the support they need.
Honourable Christina Nomdo, Commissioner for Children in the Western Cape, called for a paradigm shift in how society perceives childhood and the role of children in shaping the future: ‘We need to reimagine childhoods and harness the power of children to think about the future of our societies,’ she said. Nomdo underscored the importance of child participation models, community engagement, and multi-sectoral collaboration in designing policies that truly reflect children’s needs and aspirations.
The webinar reaffirmed AORC and UKZN’s shared commitment to advancing child rights education and governance across Africa. Participants gained valuable insights, practical strategies, and a renewed sense of urgency in strengthening child protection systems through coordinated advocacy, inclusive governance, and policy reforms.
By convening ombudsman offices, policymakers and child rights advocates, this webinar served as a powerful platform for driving meaningful change – ensuring that every child’s voice is not only heard but actively shapes the future of our societies.
Words: Franky Lwelela
Image: Supplied
