A public discussion titled “Ukraine—A New Dimension: Paths to Development Through the Eyes of a Postwar Society” took place at the “Kyiv” Hotel in Kyiv, organized by the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine (NALU). The event brought together representatives of the academic community, state and local government bodies, the legal profession, the civil society sector, and the media for an expert discussion of the key challenges facing the country’s post-war recovery.

The meeting was moderated by Golda Vynohradska, president of “Fashion Globus Ukraine,” the National Industry Partnership in Ukraine’s Light Industry.

Opening the discussion, Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine, emphasized that the future regulatory framework of post-war Ukraine must include not only declarative provisions but also clearly defined accountability of state institutions for the consequences of their decisions and the processes unfolding in society.

In his remarks, he stressed that no social contract or regulatory act can be effective without restoring citizens’ trust in state authorities and local self-government bodies. According to him, public trust is the foundation of a functioning democratic society and the basis for social dialogue and political decision-making.

Among the key tasks, he cited the development of laws and regulations aimed at building public trust, supporting state and local government bodies in streamlining decision-making processes, and engaging all stakeholders—particularly those affected by the war—in shaping and implementing policies during the postwar period. Special attention was given to involving military personnel and veterans in discussions on reforms, supporting volunteer initiatives, and ensuring a more active role for civil society organizations in the country’s reconstruction.

A significant emphasis in the discussion was placed on the issue of communication between the state and society. Kateryna Voronenko, an Honored Journalist of Ukraine, stressed that building trust is impossible without effective communication and systematic work on public perception. She highlighted the special role played by the emergence in Ukraine of an institution such as the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine, which aims to advocate specifically for the interests of Ukrainian society, rather than those of individual business entities.

A separate segment of the discussion focused on the reintegration of veterans and preparing communities for their return, creating jobs, and fostering a culture of engagement with those who have experienced war.

The discussion also included views on the role of communities in the future architecture of the state.

Serhiy Zhadan, a member of the Vyshhorod City Council, emphasized the importance of community unity and self-sufficiency as the foundation of a strong state.

Oksana Skrypnyk, a representative of the Kyiv Interregional Directorate of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, and Yaroslav Melnyk, Doctor of Law and Senior Research Fellow in the Department for Research on Issues and Adaptation of Ukrainian Legislation to EU Law at the Institute of Lawmaking and Scientific-Legal Expertise of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, emphasized the need to refine and reinterpret the social contract in today’s context.

Mykola Mykytiuk, Doctor of Law, professor at the Institute of State Administration of Ukraine at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and colonel, emphasized that self-governance is the foundation of statehood, and that the lobbying community can serve as a professional platform for shaping and promoting a new social contract.

Summing up the event, Oleksiy Shevchuk, Chairman of the Board of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine, noted that the “Social Contract of the National Association of Lobbyists of Ukraine” should become an open platform for bringing together experts, community representatives, government bodies, and civil society, with the subsequent creation of working groups and the development of coordinated solutions. According to him, without restoring public trust, neither the effective recovery of the country nor the building of a stable and democratic state is possible.