Ombuds Day 2023
By Belinda M. Robinson, PhD
Associate Organizational Ombudsman - Federal Bureau of Investigation
For nearly six years, in conjunction with the American Bar Association’s Ombuds Day Committee, the Ombuds community is celebrated, recognized, and congratulated on the second Thursday of October, also known as Ombuds Day. This year, Ombuds Day is celebrated on Thursday, October 12. The theme for 2023 is Ombuds: Diverse in Role. United in Service.
Prior years’ themes have paid homage to the professionals who lead conflict resolution efforts and mediation services for organizations, large and small, and regardless of their internally or externally facing ombuds roles:
- 2022 – Ombuds: Resilience, Respect, Resolve
- 2021 – Ombuds: Exploring Options to Resolve Conflict Together
- 2020 and 2019 – Ombuds: Unusual Name. Important Service
Ombuds practitioners are often described as navigators who provide a beacon of light; giving employees, and often the public, hope that their problems can be resolved fairly and equitably.