OSCE Project Co-ordinator assists Ukraine’s Justice Ministry in interaction with citizens

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (PCU) has launched the second round of training for Justice Ministry officials to improve working methods, communication and relations with the public.

Six training sessions are being offered to around 200 public servants, working in legal aid. The seminars are scheduled for 13-14 April in Kyiv, 4-5 July in Lviv and 7-8 July in Uzhgorod.

The first round of training sessions was conducted by the PCU in 2010. Upon the request of the Justice Ministry, the PCU developed a special training programme in line with the National Program of Legal Education and Awareness.

The training programme focuses on methods of communication with the public, legal counselling, and ethical aspects of legal aid offices' activities. It also covers effective provision of legal aid in appeals processes on acts or omissions of state bodies, local self-government bodies and their officials.

During 2010, the PCU trained 200 specialists of Regional, Rayon and City Departments of Justice from 14 regions of Ukraine to effectively communicate with the public and provide quality legal aid to citizens. The participants of 2011 training programme will represent regions that were not covered by last year’s sessions.

This training is part of a wider project aimed at enabling public servants to better protect the rights of persons in their relations with the state and enhancing the awareness of the wider public about human rights and the mechanisms to protect them.