How do we fix the corruption?

In order to eliminate the corruption, the people must become educated. The Ukrainian people understand what is going on, but they do not realize how drastically it is affecting their lives. They do not realize that there are other options and other ways to live besides living in their current situation.

I kept asking Oksana if she was happy there and if the people are happy and she responded, "I was never completely unhappy and I do not think the people are either. But I was only not happy, because I did not know of any other lifestyle. This was how I lived my whole life, so I learned to accept it.We did not know how to fix our lives to improve them, so we settled. If the Ukrainian people were more educated, than they could begin to fight for a new life, but until then they can't and won't."

People cannot begin to fight for something unless they are educated about the affects that it has on them.

Below are some suggestions for improvement in the following sectors:

Judicial Sector: Key activities must be supported to reform the judicial selection process and bring it into line with modern meritocracies. In addition, reforms in court administration and procedures need to be promoted to increase transparency.

Health Sector: Major remedies need to be promoted to make the procurement of pharmaceuticals more transparent and accountable. In addition, it is critical to develop tracking systems to monitor and oversee budgetary expenditures to stem leakages. Overall, organizational, management and institutional reforms are needed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery and reduce mismanagement which can encourage corrupt practices.

Education Sector: It is important to support CSO budget oversight initiatives to put external pressure on the educational system to be accountable for its use of public funds and to encourage greater transparency. Continued expansion of standardized testing procedures for higher school entrance exams is merited.

Public Finance: Support should be given to ensure effective implementation of new procurement laws and ongoing tax reform initiatives. Finally, budget and expenditure oversight – internally and externally – should be promoted.

Parliament: Continued pressure and support needs to be applied to promote adoption of an adequate anti-corruption legal framework. Legislator skills training and resources need to be provided to improve legislative drafting, coalition building and negotiation/compromise skills.