ESTABLISHING AN OMBUDS FUNCTION: THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK APPROACH AND LESSONS LEARNED FOR OTHER INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ORGANISATIONS

Over recent years, many organisations, both public and private, have been establishing an ombuds function as an informal confl ict resolution mechanism to resolve work-place disputes and concerns. This article examines the establishment of confl ict resolution mechanisms in international fi nancial organisations (IFOs) including the World Bank Group and the major regional development banks in Africa, Asia, Latin-America, and Europe. The article examines the Asian Development Bank’s approach in establishing an ombuds function. The article concludes with suggestions in moving forward of the ombuds offi ces in the IFOs and the lessons learned for other IFOs.