Invitation to the Public Meeting “Constitutional Process in Ukraine: From Political Elite to Public Consensus”

Dear friends!

On behalf of the International Center for Perspective Research (ICPD) we invite you to take part inPublic meetings on the topic “Constitutional process in Ukraine: from a treaty of political elites to public consensus”,which will take place at 11.00, December 09, 2015 in Chernihiv at: Hotel “Park-Otel Chernihiv” (conference-hall), str. Shevchenko, 103-A.
For a purposestarting a nationwide, comprehensive process of creating a new constitutionThe International Center for Perspective Research (ICP) initiates a series of public discussions in all regions of the country designed to start a constitutional process based on a comprehensive social dialogue, which is a compulsory norm of democratic countries. The result of this process should be a draft of the new constitution, created as a compromise of all stakeholders, which will preserve the integrity and sovereignty of the country.
The constitution, which is adopted as a result of broad public discussion, has not only greater legitimacy, but also through the discussion process creates a sense of responsibility for citizens, produces a desire to protect this constitution, to defend its provisions.

Given the above,We invite you to take part in a public meeting in Chernihiv and present your vision for the creation of a new constitution.

Questions to Discussion:

• What new constitution is needed by Ukraine?
• How to create a new constitution based on consensus around key values?
• Who and what blocks the creation of a new constitution on the basis of public consent?
• What is the role of the public in the process of creating a new Constitution of Ukraine?
• How can a new basic law developed by broad public participation can contribute to the preservation of Ukraine?
• International practice of conducting an inclusive process: what can be useful for Ukraine?

To participate in the discussion are invited: Business and entrepreneurs, public sector/activists, representatives of local self-government bodies, scientific environment (teachers/graduate students), journalists, political and active citizens, etc.

The main speakers will be recognized experts in the field of constitutional law and MPs:

• Gennady Druzenko
• Victor Zherditsky
• Taras Stetskiv
• Sergey Kishchenko
• Representative of the Center for Political and Legal Reforms.

The event is held within the framework of the project “Using World Expert Experience and Public Consultations in the Process of Amendments to the Constitution of Ukraine”, which is implemented with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation.