Thematic Lecture on Transparency, Fairness and Accountability as cornerstones of good administration

Thematic Lecture on Transparency, Fairness and Accountability as cornerstones of good administration

Published June 12, 2025

On 12 June 2025, the Office of the Ombudsman in Malta officially launched its 30th Anniversary commemorations with a Thematic Lecture held at the Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives. Entitled “Transparency, Fairness, Accountability: Cornerstones of Good Administration – The Mandate of the Ombudsman,” the lecture brought together Members of Parliament, senior public officials, civil servants, academics, civil society representatives, and other stakeholders for a timely reflection on the essential values that underpin good governance and public administration.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Anġlu Farrugia, opened the event by delivering a powerful reflection on the constitutional role of the Ombudsman as “a sentinel of the people, a bulwark of justice, and a mirror to the public administration it holds to account.” He underscored that transparency, fairness, and accountability must be regarded not as abstract ideals but as binding obligations. Warning against any drift into political partisanship, he stressed that the Ombudsman’s impartiality must be sustained through conduct and integrity. “Democratic trust is neither inherited nor permanent. It is earned. It is renewed. And it is easily broken,” the Speaker remarked. [Link to the speech]

In his address, Parliamentary Ombudsman Judge Emeritus Joseph Zammit McKeon highlighted the Ombudsman’s ethical duty to act as the voice of those who may otherwise have no means to defend their rights. While the principles of good governance are frequently declared, he underlined that their true value lies in their consistent application through a responsive, fair and people-centred administration. The Ombudsman stressed that the role of his Office is not to offend or criticise for its own sake, but to ensure that public authorities remain accountable, transparent and just in their actions. “Public service officials should never, but never, feel offended when a constitutional office like the Ombudsman speaks in clear, and at times, critical terms on the administrative operations of public offices,” he stated. He called for public officers to embrace not only procedures but also the deeper values of impartiality, fairness, and responsibility in their daily work. [Link to full speech]

In her keynote lecture, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, Public Protector of South Africa, provided a comparative perspective on the role of Ombudsman institutions in defending human rights and constitutional democracy. Drawing from her extensive legal, prosecutorial and public service experience, she emphasised that Ombudsman institutions carry the responsibility of safeguarding the dignity of the person, especially those who are vulnerable or marginalised. Advocate Gcaleka reflected on the complex challenges faced by Ombudsman offices globally, including inequality, maladministration, governance failures, and the increasing relevance of digital transformation. She stressed the critical need for institutions of oversight to maintain their independence while adapting to emerging realities, ensuring they continue to serve as trusted guardians of accountability and justice. [Link to the full text of the lecture]

Following the speeches, an engaging Q&A session allowed Members of Parliament, senior civil servants, and academics to pose questions to both the Ombudsman and Public Protector. The discussion offered further insights into the common challenges and solutions facing Ombudsman institutions in different constitutional systems.

At the conclusion of the event, the Parliamentary Ombudsman expressed his sincere appreciation to Advocate Gcaleka for accepting his invitation to visit Malta and for delivering such a thought-provoking lecture within the very heart of the Maltese Parliament.

This Thematic Lecture marked the first in a series of events celebrating thirty years since the establishment of the Office of the Ombudsman in 1995. The anniversary programme will continue throughout the year, culminating in an international conference to be held in Malta in October 2025.