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Ukraine reflects on its anticorruption pillars and launches the discussion on the Anticorruption Programme

Over 200 people registered, over 100 present in-person and many more watching the webcast. So are the results of this Saturday's National Expert Discussion on Anticorruption organized by the Reanimation Package of Reforms and Transparency International Ukraine with support from the EU Delegation and the United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Ministry of Justice.


The open discussion held in Kyiv at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine witnessed a full house – a true mini-replica of the Ukrainian society, with government representatives, civic experts and activists, journalists, parliamentarians, business-representatives and delegates of international development organizations. The great interest towards the event was linked to the two thematic areas presented for the discussion within the framework of the discussion.

Firstly, the "National Integrity System in Ukraine" comprehensive research, which ran from March to December 2014 was presented for public scrutiny, offering a take on the situation with key governmental institutions and sectors that are called to effectively counteract corruption in Ukraine. The Transparency International methodology for comprehensive capacity and action review was utilized to assess the Parliament, Government, judiciary, public sector, law enforcement bodies, the Central Election Committee, the Ombudsman's Office, the Accounting Chamber, specialized anti-corruption bodies, political parties, the media sector, civil society organizations and the business sector. Predictably enough for a post-revolutionary environment, the civil society featured prominently as a driver of change for the anticorruption domain, with other institutions attempting to catch up in the process.
 
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Upon presentation of the study, the audience proceeded to discuss the findings of the study and made recommendations as to its various sections for possible incorporation into the text (including the ones on newly-stablished anticorruption bodies and on increasing digital openness and transparency).
The second portion of the discussion featured a presentation and lively discussion of the draft Anticorruption Programme commissioned by the Ministry of Justice to operationalize the National Anticorruption Strategy for 2014-2017. The draft for the discussion was prepared with UNDP support and put out online for commenting in anticipation of the public discussion.
 
One of the issues most profoundly discussed throughout the event was an indicator system: a logical framework for measurement of progress made towards achieving a true impact for the anticorruption activities. These are listed in 50 pages of sequential step-by step activities that aim at increasing effectiveness of state anticorruption policies, developing effective systems of preventing and sanctioning corruption for the legislative, executive and judicial branches, improving public procurement practices, addressing the issue of corruption in the private sector, easing access to information and cultivating zero tolerance to corruption in the society.
 
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The national expert discussion was called to once more shine a spotlight on the crucial steps to progress on real anticorruption reforms in aspiration of a more democratic and integrity-based society in Ukraine.

Results of the discussions have been gathered and will be analyzed for incorporation in both the comprehensive "National Integrity System in Ukraine" report and the Anticorruption Programme draft, which needs to be finalized and adopted soonest in order to comply with new Ukrainian anticorruption legislation.