USAID RADA: Next Generation, in collaboration with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), organized an interactive workshop on democratic lawmaking on June 24-25 in Warsaw. The event was attended by 13 representatives from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Ministry of Justice, and the Secretariat of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Ann Hopper, Director of the Office of Democracy and Governance at USAID Mission to Ukraine, expressed hope in her welcoming remarks that the participants would gain effective "tools that will contribute to a more transparent, inclusive, and efficient legislative process in Ukraine." She also highlighted the potential benefits of creating a special office for lawmaking within the Verkhovna Rada to improve the quality of legislation.
During the workshop, leading European lawyers discussed the key principles of democratic lawmaking, including public consultations, post-legislative control, and the integration of gender expertise throughout the legislative process. Participants analyzed practical cases and explored the intricacies of lawmaking in the context of European integration and best international practices.
Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Korniyenko emphasized the importance of such workshops for Ukraine, as they help improve laws and promote European integration: "I thank our partners for supporting such initiatives. The leadership of the Verkhovna Rada has consistently asked to increase the number of programs to improve the quality of legislative work by employees. Accession to the European Union directly depends on the state of democracy in the country. Our first negotiation section is about basic things: democracy, judicial reform, public administration - all the things where we have to do our homework."
USAID's RADA: Next Generation is systematically strengthening the legislative capacity of the Ukrainian Parliament. OSCE principles of democratic lawmaking can serve as a guide for improving Ukrainian laws.
These principles include respect for the rule of law and human rights, openness and transparency of the legislative process, public participation, inclusiveness and non-discrimination, organized legislative planning, accountability of institutions, and the predictability and accessibility of laws. More details can be found in the OSCE Handbook.