On December, 16, 2021, a ZOOM lecture was held as part of the All-Ukrainian scientific-pedagogical training in public administration. The topic of the lecture was “Decentralisation reforms: Discussing the recent decentralisation reforms in Ukraine and their impact on local governance, comparing them with the French decentralisation policy”. The lecturer, Dr. Mishyna Natalia, is a well-known expert in this field, holding a PhD (Candidate and Doctorate) in Law with a specialisation in Comparative Law and Municipal Law. Dr Mishyna Natalia is the Head of the Constitutional Law Department of the Odessa Academy of Law National University, and her research and teaching experience dates back to 2000.
Dr. Mishyna is deeply interested in the study of municipal law, constitutional law and decentralisation. She actively promotes awareness and understanding of these issues through various educational activities, including training sessions, lectures and interactive online discussions for diverse audiences. Her role as an ambassador of relevant foreign experience in the field involves spearheading projects to improve administrative literacy, foster professional communication and share best practices among specialists.
The presentation provided an in-depth analysis of Ukraine’s recent decentralisation reforms, emphasising their transformative impact on local governance. Dr Mishyna highlighted the structural changes brought about by these reforms and compared them with similar decentralisation policies in France. She delved into the historical and socio-political context of both countries, offering a comparative perspective that enriched the understanding of decentralisation processes.
A significant part of the presentation was devoted to examining the practical implications of decentralisation for local governance. Dr Mishyna discussed the criteria for effective local governance, the challenges faced by local authorities and the strategies used to overcome these challenges. The presentation also touched on the role of community engagement and the importance of fostering a collaborative environment between central and local governments.
Participants gained valuable insights into the dynamics of decentralisation and its role in improving the efficiency and responsiveness of local government. Dr Mishyna’s thorough and well-structured presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the topic, making it accessible and relevant to both academics and practitioners.
