Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association: development of a professional lobbyist standard as a step towards institutionalization of lobbying
In continuation of the professional dialogue initiated during the discussion of the role of a professional standard in the field of lobbying, a working meeting was held with representatives of government agencies, the expert community and the professional community to clarify approaches to the development of the standard “Lobbying Professional (Lobbyist)”.
The working meeting was a logical step in the development of the discussion initiated by the National Qualifications Agency and was devoted to a systematic analysis of the regulatory framework, procedures and stages of forming a professional standard within the National Qualifications System.
The discussion was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, in particular Vitaliia Hloba, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association Liudmyla Kozhura, Doctor of Law, Professor, Director of the Law Institute of the Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman; Chairman of the Working Group on the Development of a Professional Standard Serhiy Lysenko, Doctor of Law, Doctor of Public Administration, Professor, Academician of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Director of the Educational and Research Institute of Law and
The participants discussed in detail the legal basis for the development of a professional standard, in particular the legal requirements for its formation, approval and implementation, as well as the correlation of the standard with the existing regulatory mechanisms in the field of lobbying.
Particular attention was paid to the stages of standard development, stakeholder engagement, and the need to strike a balance between professional self-regulation and state regulation. The participants emphasized that the professional standard should not create additional barriers, but rather define clear, transparent and reasonable requirements for the knowledge, skills and competencies of lobbying professionals.
An important outcome of the meeting was a consolidated understanding of the role of the professional standard as a tool for improving the quality of lobbying activities and developing common approaches to professional training.
Special gratitude was expressed to the Head of the National Qualifications Agency, Mr. Yuriy Balanyuk, for the high level of organization of work, professional approach to explaining procedures and creating an effective communication platform to unite the expert community.
As a result of the meeting, the participants came to the conclusion that the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association continues to work systematically and fruitfully on the development of the professional standard “Lobbying Professional (Lobbyist)” in full compliance with the requirements of the law.
The representative of the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, Ms. Vitaliia, emphasized compliance with one of the basic principles enshrined in the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying” – the principles of professionalism and ethics of lobbying. These principles provide for the obligation of lobbying entities to ensure the implementation of the highest professional standards in their activities.
Guided by the principles of professionalism and ethics enshrined in the Law of Ukraine “On Lobbying”, the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine initiated the institutionalization of the professional activity “Lobbyist” within the National Qualifications System and started developing the professional standard “Lobbying Professional (Lobbyist)”.
The relevant standard is intended to define requirements for competencies, knowledge, skills and ethical principles of activity, to ensure unified approaches to professional training and assessment of qualifications, and to promote transparency, integrity and quality of lobbying activities. Such an approach is not only a fulfillment of the legislative requirements, but also a key step towards the formation of a mature, responsible and professional lobbying environment in Ukraine.
In this context, the development of a professional standard is not only a formal procedure within the National Qualifications System, but also a key element of institutionalizing lobbying as a transparent, responsible and professionally significant activity in Ukraine.
