Image: UNDP Uzbekistan
19 May, TASHKENT – On 17-19 May a training seminar on forming a strategic plan for the operations of the Supreme Judicial Council of Uzbekistan was held at the Hilton Hotel in Tashkent. This event was conducted within the framework of the ‘Rule of Law Partnership in Uzbekistan’ project implemented by USAID, the Supreme Court and UNDP.
The intended outcome of the seminar was to improve the knowledge and skills of the participants in drafting and implementing a strategic plan for the Supreme Judicial Council. They were informed of the main components that should be included in such a strategy, and were assisted in defining the Council’s strategic goals, horizons and mission, to be included in the plan.
The Supreme Judicial Council was first formed in 2017 with the purpose of implementing several components of the five priority areas of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021. In particular, the Council works to enhance the independence of Uzbekistan’s courts as a means of ensuring rule of law and access to justice for all citizens.
The Council has not yet issued its own strategic document specifying the exact direction of its activities, within the framework of Uzbekistan’s on-going judicial reform process. Developing this document that will form the basis of the Council’s operation was the focus of this week’s seminar, attended by representatives of the Supreme Judicial Council and the Supreme School of Judges.
Over three days the seminar’s participants achieved a number of learning objectives. Initially they were introduced to the main definitions and concepts of strategic planning and different types of strategies, through the consideration of international examples. They were also made familiar with the concepts of goal-setting, and determining a planning horizon.
Participants were given skills to assess the current situation of Uzbekistan’s judicial system, the outcomes of which would be referenced in the strategic plan for the Supreme Judicial Council. They received insight into the approaches of implementing and realizing such a strategic plan, the related aspects of risk management, and methods for assessing the strategy’s implementation.
“The Supreme Judicial Council is an essential institution for ensuring that judges and courts are independent, ethical and efficient in the process of delivering justice, and as such its effective operation is critical for protecting the rule of law and further strengthening access to justice,” said Matilda Dimovska, UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan.
“Fulfilling this mandate requires a high level of strategic planning, and the staff who have participated in this seminar will be able to implement such a plan and assess its outcomes.”
This training seminar was conducted in an offline, in-person format, using modern, interactive methods. It incorporated task-solving activities, which allowed participants to ask questions about specific aspects of strategy drafting.
During its final year of operation, the ‘Rule of Law Partnership in Uzbekistan’ project is consolidating advancements made in ensuring the greater transparency and openness of Uzbekistan’s courts, through the on-going reform process it has facilitated. Through this year the project will seek to strengthen the institutions needed to ensure these positive results can be sustained for years to come.