Established in 2002, the Office of the Political Ombudsman is today (August 15) celebrating its 20th anniversary, a feat Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown describes as a proud and honourable moment.

“I’m very proud that the office has continued until now for 20 years, and I believe it has made a significant contribution to the improvement of Jamaica’s political climate. …I am most honoured, proud and happy to be celebrating or commemorating, this legislation and this office, 20 years in Jamaica 60,” Parchment Brown shared with Our Today.

Hosting its celebratory International Virtual Conference today (August 15), under the theme, Engaged Citizens, Good Governance and the Rule of Law – Key Pillars of Democracy, Parchment Brown noted that, with the recent activities occurring within the island, the theme is both relevant and fitting.

With a continuing decline in voter turnout in the last few years, it has become important to ensure the public is aware that engaged citizens are the key to good governance. She went on to underscore that, if the “owners fi the yard” are not attentive, then they will be blinded to issues in society.

The Ombudsman also shared that the conference, which will have several panellists, will focus on issues of good governance, the rule of law, democracy and different institutions operating in Jamaica, around the Caribbean and the world.

Despite its 20-year existence and a number of notable achievements, Parchment Brown explained to Our Today that much still needs to be done and, for the next three to four years, plans have been put in place.

“Well I think there is a lot of work to be done. You know, we know there are certain matters on the agenda. Local government elections will be held and the campaign for that, that’s the part we are concerned with… to make sure that’s going well and there is no breach of the code of conduct.

“And then we understand that, at the at the next General Election, if not before… we will have a referendum and again there are a lot of matters in the run up to the campaign period and we have to be prepared to respond quickly and or to put out something that will prevent certain escalations during that period,” the Political Ombudsman shared.

Publishing earlier this year the civic education handbook, Jamaica Strong and Free, the Office intends to create a training programme to teach, especially the target group, those 15-30 years, how to use the handbook in an effort to expand civic knowledge.

“So we would like to put on a training in the coming months and provide all of those persons with material that they can now go and do training in their youth clubs, service clubs, churches, community groups, wherever, so that the civic knowledge can be expanded.”

Since being appointed in 2015, Parchment Brown describes the capacity in which she serves the island as an honour, noting that the different hats she wore prepared her for the role. The Ombudsman also shared that she is doing her best to be bold, as was recommended by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Sharing her final thoughts, the Ombudsman explained that the duty of the office is to be fair and neutral.

“The Office of the Political Ombudsman is a commission of parliament. It is fair and neutral and reports to the Parliament, not to any particular political party. And we here at the office, we are a small office of dedicated staff. We work for the people of Jamaica and we want to see good governance, the rule of law, engage citizens because that is how we can get the country that we want and we commit to continue to play our part,” the Ombudsman said.