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Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Yurii Baulin and judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine Stanislav Shevchukparticipated in the Inaugural Session of Parliament-Civil Society Platform
The event was attended by Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Hroisman, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Valeriya Lutkovska, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine Oleksii Filatov, Deputy Head of the EU Advisory Mission Yuh Fantu, Member of the Constitutional Commission Serhii Holovatyi, People’s Deputies of Ukraine, heads of judicial institutions, experts, representatives of non-governmental organisations, international communities, society and mass media.
The first inaugural session was dedicated to the process of constitutional reforms, its historical context and direction. In particular, participants of panel discussions touched upon the constitutional reform inUkraine, judicial reform, constitutional rights, the problems of reintegration of Donbass and areas of improvement of the Fundamental Law of the State.
The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine Vaidotas Verba addressed the 
During the meeting, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine VolodymyrHroisman said that "Today Ukraine is facing many challenges, both internal and external, and must find a solution to the problems that have been accumulated in the state, therefore, these are constitutional amendments that are the foundation for changes in the country which will guarantee the implementation of quality solutions for the development of the State". He focused on the decentralisation of power and full-fledged local self-government, and stressed that "it will be difficult to provide proper changes without the establishment of a proper system of government in the country and without creating conditions for inclusion of citizens in decision-making process".
Furtheron, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada emphasised that the Constitutional Commission has worked "as openly as possible" and stressed on the need to widely inform the public about the reforms which are being implemented in the country, and awareness of their importance.
The Constitutional Commission has developed a draft law on amendments to the Constitution in the part of decentralisation, which fully meets the best European standards and was positively assessed by the Venice Commission. According to Volodymyr Hroisman, constitutional changes have also received positive assessment from the public in all regions of Ukraine. "Step by step we are moving to such decisions that would turn Ukraine from a corrupted centralised country to a developed European state".
Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Valeriya Lutkovska stressed that "the constitution shall become a real new social contract, a treaty of citizens of all social groups on how to live together even when we are all different and to create a future state." She also added that social dialogue is needed for the constitution to become effective. "The Constitution of Ukraine should be a clear and understandable document for every citizen. Each state must adopt such a document, which would comply with the European Convention, but it must be our own document".
Topics discussed at the session of Parliament-Civil Society Platform produced a lively discussion among all participants who were unanimous about the importance of an open public dialogue and involvement of all layers of population to a comprehensive discussion.
