The Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association at the “Person of the Year—2025” Awards: Professionalism, Openness, and a Culture of Dialogue

Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the Board, represented the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association at an event for the nationwide “Person of the Year—2025” program.

The 30th, anniversary season of the “Person of the Year” program took place under the slogan “Recognition That Inspires Generations.” Its central theme was the recognition of individuals whose professional achievements, civic engagement, and daily work influence the country’s development. The organizers highlighted the special role of responsibility, professionalism, and dedication to one’s work as driving forces behind social change.

For the Ukrainian National Lobbyists Association, these principles are directly linked to its professional mission—to promote open and ethical interaction between the government, business, and civil society. Transparency in lobbying, adherence to ethical standards, and the rule of law are the key guiding principles of the association’s activities.

Behind these principles lies a practical goal—to make the representation of interests transparent and accountable to society. What issues require legislative regulation? Who initiates changes, and whose interests do they represent? What might be the consequences of the proposed solutions? Transparency on these issues is an important prerequisite for trust in the process of shaping public policy.

UNLA brings together experts, lawyers, and representatives from the business and public sectors to promote a culture of responsible lobbying. Its main areas of focus include participating in the development and improvement of legislation, promoting professional and ethical standards, advancing education, and facilitating the international exchange of best practices.

The association also sees itself as a professional forum for dialogue, where representatives from various sectors can discuss pressing social issues, formulate well-reasoned positions, and develop proposals for addressing them.

Professional training plays a particularly important role in this process. Effective advocacy requires a thorough knowledge of the law, an understanding of economic and social processes, and the ability to assess the potential consequences of regulatory changes. Equally important are the ability to articulate one’s own position and to take into account the views of other participants in the discussion. That is why professional education, training, and international exchange of best practices are among UNLA’s priorities.

The participation of Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the Board of UNLA, in the “Person of the Year—2025” event provided an opportunity to showcase the association’s professional community in the context of nationwide recognition of professional achievements and social responsibility.

For UNLA, transparency and ethics are not merely stated principles, but guiding principles for the profession’s future development. Their practical implementation involves the consistent development of a professional community, the preparation of well-reasoned proposals, and a willingness to engage in open public dialogue.