What has the Ombudsman achieved so far?

AuthorThe European Ombudsman
Pages31-35

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The Ombudsman has fought hard to improve the way the institutions work for you. Each complaint resolved by the Ombudsman is positive, not only for the complainant directly concerned but for European citizens in general. His success in enhancing the institutions` performance has been saluted across the Union.

Opinions from a range of EU actors
Awards and honours

Since taking up his duties in 1995, the European Ombudsman has received many awards and honours recognising his achievements.

The European Institute of Public Administration awarded the "Alexis de Tocqueville Prize 2001" to the European Ombudsman for improving public administration in Europe and for his tireless work to increase transparency in the EU institutions.

In 2001, the Ombudsman was chosen as one of the top 50 `Europeans of the Year` in an event organised by the newspaper, European Voice. The award spotlighted the most influential Europeans in 2001 and recognised the achievements of the Ombudsman on transparency and freedom of expression.

In 2001, the European Ombudsman was nominated to the rank of knight in the French Legion of Honour. The Legion of Honour is the most prestigious civil or military award in France.

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Quotes

`As European Ombudsman since 1995, he has helped to enhance the consideration given by the European public administration to people`s rights.` (European Institute of Public Administration: Scientific Council and Board of Governors, August 2001)

`Motivated by a philosophy of responsibility, a very protestant mind and committed to the idea of civic participation, the first (European Ombudsman) has insisted on using his powers to the full to exert a profound influence on the reform of European governance.` (Director of the Institute of European Studies at the UniversitÈ Libre de Bruxelles, March 2002)

`May I on behalf of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) pass on to Mr Sˆderman our hearty congratulations on having been awarded a knighthood in the Legion of Honour by the President of France. It is a well-deserved recognition of a career dedicated to giving the European Union, a formidable bureaucracy, a human face.` (Director General, IIAS, January 2002)

`It is to the luck of the Union and to the pride of Finland that the first European Ombudsman was a person like Sˆderman.` (Helsingin Sanomat, April 2002)

`Although his formal powers are limited, when Sˆderman speaks, people listen. What he says counts ...` (E!Sharp, March 2002)

`... Europe exists. Not because there is a single currency and many EC policies, but rather because there are convinced people such as Jacob Sˆderman who defends the citizens.` (El PeriÛdico, May 2002)

`The citizens` champion.` (EV50 produced by European Voice, December 2001)

`I would like to thank you and your team again for your sterling efforts in bringing this most unfortunate matter to a reasonable and fair conclusion.` (Vice President of a British trade association who complained to the Ombudsman about the failure of the Commission to provide important information to one of its members, August 2001)

`This is to congratulate you for (your) excellent activity, which aims at protecting the simple citizen.` (Greek lawyer, October 2001)

`Your straightforward attitude and clear objectives are most refreshing.` (a British citizen after receiving a copy of the Ombudsman`s annual report)

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(Page 33 in PDF File)

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Statistics

Statistics concerning the work of the European Ombudsman from 1.1.2000 to 30.6.2002

Complaints received: 4 823

Geographical origin of complaints

(See Statistics in PDF File)

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