The staff of the Ombuds Office usually work directly with a visitor, helping identify resources and approaches for resolving challenges and conflicts. In addition to these conventional Ombuds meetings, we are pleased to offer “facilitated conversations.” A facilitated conversation is a voluntary, informal and confidential conversation where the parties in a dispute or conflict address their personal or professional issues in a respectful manner, with one or more Ombuds present.

A facilitated conversation offers the parties a venue to engage in an informal conversation where a third-party neutral (Ombuds) assists the parties to engage in a respectful manner. The process offers a forum for parties to be heard and gain insight on the other person’s perspective, thereby potentially preserving the relationship and generating paths to a resolution. If there is an agreement, it is entirely up to the parties to follow it; the Ombuds is not involved in drafting or enforcing it.

For further information, see our Facilitated Conversation Guidelines.