By Tuba Bilecik
EOM Group Co-chair

The European Ombuds and Mediator (EOM) Group recently held its annual in-
person meeting in Copenhagen hosted by our colleagues from Maersk Ombuds
Office. As always, it was a real pleasure to reconnect with colleagues, both familiar
and new. After months of connecting virtually, there is something uniquely energizing
about being in the same room, sharing ideas and remembering the sense of
community that fuels our work.

There is a growing momentum in the ombuds field across Europe. In just the past
couple of years, we have seen more and more organizations explore how ombuds
programs can strengthen healthier, more inclusive workplaces. Notably, several
institutions including the European Central Bank, European Investment Bank and
European Space Agency have launched their first ombuds offices. At the same time,
professionals from diverse disciplines are becoming increasingly curious about the
ombuds role and what it offers as a career path.

Our group brings together a diverse range of professionals: some of us work in
international organizations, others in corporate or higher education settings. What
unites us is a shared commitment to supporting our communities and institutions by
offering a confidential, independent and informal space for navigating workplace
concerns.

At this year’s meeting, we had deep, energizing conversations around topics such
as: Other Intelligences in Decision-making Processes, Conflict Resolution Technique
Based on Meaning Centered Psychotherapy, Coaching Tools and Systemic Issues.
These conversations reminded us of the interdisciplinary nature of our profession
and the many ways we can adapt tools and approaches from across fields to meet
the needs of our communities.

Beyond the formal sessions, some of the richest moments came from informal
exchanges; sharing lessons learned, offering peer support and brainstorming new
initiatives. Together, we are not only strengthening our own practice but also shaping
the future of the ombuds profession.

Looking ahead, our group remains committed to supporting individuals, raising
awareness about the ombuds role and contributing to more resilient and fair
organizations. Whether through helping someone navigate a difficult situation,
surfacing patterns that point to systemic issues or advocating for fairness, the
ombuds role matters more than ever.

We left Copenhagen inspired by the collective wisdom in the room and excited for
what is next. If you are interested in learning more about our group, we’d love to
connect.

The IOA expresses our deep gratitude to the EOM for their leadership hosting this important conference, and to Maersk for hosting both the conference and the Foundations course.