By Fred Wright, Chair of the International Outreach Committee and Co-Chair of the Asia Pacific Regional Advisory Committee of the IOA,
Over three days in September 2024 the Asia Pacific Regional Advancement Community (AP-RAC) held its 6th in-person conference in Beijing, China. Seventeen members of the RAC attended in person whilst four members were able to attend some sessions virtually. The conference was generously hosted by the Asia Investment Infrastructure Bank (AIIB), and MARS Incorporated whilst Sophia Qiao, Pfizer Ombuds generously supplied wine for some of the social events.
The first two days were held in the Headquarters of the AIIB where the AIIB President Liqun Jin, and Ombudsperson Huan Chen, Chair for the AP-RAC 2024 Planning Committee, opened proceedings.
The conference kicked off with a session titled, ‘AP-RAC and the IOA. Partners in the growth and development of the profession in the Asia Pacific region’. It involved a rich discussion between conference members and Ellen Miller, Executive Director of IOA, who joined virtually, and Wayne Marriott, Treasurer of the IOA Board, who was in person.
Day one continued with two very stimulating and thought-provoking sessions about how AI can support Ombuds in their work. Sue Ackerly together with IT guru Raegan MacStravic, spoke to the theme, ‘Reporting: Minimizing Effort, Maximizing Engagement with digital tools’, whilst Sophia Qiao and IT guru James Li spoke to the theme, ‘Ombudsing and Artificial intelligence’.
The topics on day 1 moved to more practical themes when Nelima Okhoya facilitated a session on ‘Building and maintaining an Ombuds program’, followed ‘Safeguarding the Principles of Ombudsing in a Changing World’ a session facilitated by Fred Wright and David Miller.
Conference participants were generously provided for throughout day 1 with breakfast, morning and afternoon tea, as well as a sumptuous lunch in the Executive Dining Room at the AIIB.
Day two saw participants dive further into the practical areas of Ombudsing work when Jessica Carter led a virtual session on ‘Mediation in Ombuds work – When, Why, Where, How’, Wayne Marriott supported participants work in his session focused on ‘Working with challenging visitors’, and Gigi Alejandro had participants problem solving a complex case study as they thought about ‘Supporting teams in conflict’.
Experienced Ombuds Wayne Blair challenged participants to consider ‘The Ombuds role during organizational change’, whilst Charmhee Kim led a fascinating discussion on ‘Cultural influences in resolving conflict in AP Region’. Fred Wright then engaged the group discussing the theme of ‘Ombudsing in Complex Environments’.
Refreshments provided throughout the day included a light breakfast, Chinese delicacies for morning and afternoon tea as well as sharing lunch with employees in the AIIB cafeteria.
On day 3 participants were bused to the MARS factory where we were welcomed by Head of Food Safety Science & Head of Operations. Fred Wright & Sue Ackerly then led the group in an important session about ‘Ombuds wellbeing and self-care’, following which the group discussed the year ahead for the AP-RAC, including consideration for the 2025 in person meeting.
Lunch was generously hosted by Mars in the factory canteen, following which a wonderful team building exercise where the group hiked the Mutianyu Great Wall.
The conference ended with a fantastic dinner, again generously sponsored by AIIB, whilst Ombuds Sophia Qiao, provided quality wine for the evening. Many Ombuds took the opportunity to stay around for another day of networking activities including visits to fascinating sites associated with the Beijing Olympics of 2008 and 2022 and culminating in another networking dinner, again generously sponsored by the AIIB.
