Workshop “Improving the Courts Information Policy” was held
The members of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine took part in the workshop on “Improving the Courts Information Policy”, which was held on 16 April 2018.
The workshop was conducted by the communications expert Ms. Leah Gurowitz, Director of Media and Public Relations of D.C. courts, Federal District of Columbia, with the support of the USAID “New Justice” Program and the High Council of Justice.
The main objectives of the event were to discuss the format of effective interaction between representatives of the judiciary and the public and mass media, best practices in using by the courts social media platforms to increase confidence in the judiciary, and to develop recommendations for advancing the use of modern communications strategies, tools, new technologies in promoting greater public trust in the judiciary.
Mr. David Vaughn, Chief of Party of the USAID “New Justice” Program, Ms. Nataliya Petrova, Deputy Chief of Party of the USAID “New Justice” Program and Ms. Larysa Shvetsova, member of the High Council of Justice, took the floor at the event.
During the first session, the audience received advices on how to communicate with the press during media events to avoid reputational risks. Ms. Gurowitz shared recommendations for judicial system officials regarding interviews and official statements to the press.
The second session of the workshop was devoted to discussing issues of effective interaction between courts and the public in order to strengthen public trust in the judicial system.
They also talked about preparations for high-profile cases and ethical aspects of the presence of judges and representatives of the judiciary in social networks.
The Supreme Court judges-speakers, members of the High Council of Justice, the Council of Judges of Ukraine, officials of the State Judicial Administration of Ukraine and the National School of Judges of Ukraine participated in the workshop.
The High Qualification Commission of Judges of Ukraine at the event was represented by Mr. Stanislav Shchotka, Deputy Chairman of the Commission, Head of the Qualification Chamber of the Commission, Mr. Volodymyr Butenko, member of the Chamber for Selection and Public Service of Judges of the Commission, Mr. Sergii Prylypko, member of the Qualification Chamber of the Commission, and Mr. Andrii Kozlov, member of the Qualification Chamber of the Commission.
Reference:
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nove Pravosuddya Justice Sector Reform Program (New Justice Program) started implementation in Ukraine in October 2016.
The program is designed to support the Judiciary, the Government, the Parliament, the Bar, Law Schools, Civil Society, Media and Citizens to create the conditions for independent, accountable, transparent, and effective justice system that upholds the rule of law and to fight corruption.
The USAID New Justice Program builds upon the success, partnership and efforts of the USAID Ukraine Rule of Law Project (UROL) and FAIR Justice Project (FAIR) and coordinates activities closely with Ukrainian counterparts, USAID, U.S. Government and other donor projects and implementers in Ukraine.
