This is the first project aimed at strengthening capacities of the Ombudsperson's Office on its way to be more effective and efficient in the reform agenda, to address the decentralization through regional presence, to communicate for human rights, as well as to approach "new challenges" with focus on gender equality.

The launching event brought together representatives of the Ombudsperson's Office, human rights organizations, representatives of diplomatic missions, and international organizations to debate on the strategic issue: what should be done on the way from good to great of the National Human Rights Institution. The discussion was dedicated to using strategic tools for capacity building and development of NHRI, regional development of human rights protection mechanisms in Ukraine, and raising the human rights awareness across the country.

 

"In Ukraine, one could hardly underestimate the role of the Ombudsperson's Office as an institution with a unique position within the human rights landscape of Ukraine, serving as a watch-dog for human rights and a push-factor for mainstreaming human rights into the broader reform agenda," said Marcus Brand, UNDP Democratic Governance Advisor. He lauded that historically, UNDP Ukraine has been one of the first and the most persistent partner of the Ombudsperson's Office since 2012.

Allar Jõks, former Ombudsperson of Estonia and UNDP expert, noted the excellent teamwork of the Office of the Ombudsperson: "The outstanding achievements of the Ukrainian Ombudsperson are possible thanks for the team of professionals and close cooperation with civil society.''

 

Presentations can be found here and here.