Kyiv, 13 December 2022 — The winners of the Second All-Ukrainian Research Paper Competition “Business and Human Rights in Ukraine: challenges and solutions for the period of war and post-war recovery” have received their awards in Kyiv. The Competition was held to mark the 25th anniversary of the institution of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Competition was organized at the initiative of the V.K. Mamutov Economic and Legal Research Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, the Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the Ukrainian Coordination Centre for Advancing Legal Education of the Population, and the Analytics and Consulting Office for Sustainable Development, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and the Government of Japan.

At the Final Conference, Mr. Dmytro Lubihets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, has emphasized that the most vulnerable population suffers the most from the devastating impact of the war.

“War exacerbates poverty and economic crisis, so we should spare no effort to protect the rights of the most vulnerable people. Scientists play an important role in this by studying evidence-based and efficient methods of overcoming the crisis, while facilitating respect for and protection of human rights.”

Olena Ursu, UNDP Ukraine Democratic Governance Team Leader, pointed out at the Conference that it is essential to research the observance of human rights by businesses at times of war, because the findings offer solutions and concepts required for earlier and more sustainable recovery.

“We need to lay the foundation for rapid recovery of the country right now, and all plans and decisions should focus on humans and respect for their rights. Implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights will facilitate just, inclusive and sustainable recovery for business and the economy during the war and post-war recovery period,” Ms Ursu emphasized.

Greeting the competitors, Mr. Naoto Kanatsu, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine., emphasized the importance of their research.

“In the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Ukraine, it is essential that the private sector in particular is revitalized and the Ukrainian economy is strengthened. Thus it should be remembered, that for companies operating in Ukraine, human rights due diligence in line with global standards is indispensable for survival on the world market”,  Mr Kanatsu pointed out.

Of 112 research papers submitted to the Competition, 108 were admitted. These research papers were sent by 46 higher education institutions and 1 scientific institution from 17 regions of Ukraine.

Competing papers cover economics, law, management, political studies, information technology, environment and agriculture, and focus on the operations of Ukrainian businesses in the context of war, government support to business, public procurement, economic recovery in the post-war period, human rights violations in business, and environmental threats resulting from military actions and destruction.