Distance learning, online library, mentoring of judges, comprehensive training of court chairpersons, regional schools, publishing. This is only part of the plans that are being implemented in Kyrgyzstan after a study visit to Italy as part of the USAID-IDLO “Trusted Judiciary” program.
Ms. Elmira Baitikova, appointed as the Director of the High Justice Training Center (HJTC) under the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic in September 2019, took part in a study-trip to Italy on October 21-25, 2019. This trip has inspired her for changes.
“We had planned many activities before, but it was the trip to Italy that inspired us and we saw how to implement them,” says Baitikova.
Distance Learning for Judges
Having visited and learned the experience of the Italian school, the Kyrgyz delegation realized that distance education for judges is vital.
“In Italy, the distance learning turned out to work well; it inspired confidence in the necessity of it and we learned how making it possible,” she said.
Currently, the HJTC has developed a strategy for introducing the distance learning system as well as developed an online platform that will launch in 2020. Armenian colleagues, who also took part in a study-trip, are willing to share their experience with their Kyrgyz counterparts in introducing this system.
Publishing for Judges
Ms. Baitikova realized that her Italian colleagues do the publishing activity, and now she wants to develop it at the proper lever as well.
“The Italian school has a very good publishing experience, including the manuals on various cases. In 2020, we want to change our structure, and if approved, then we will have publishing”, she said.
The HJTC is now working in this direction: an e-library was created, and the civil, criminal bloc manuals are being developed and will be available to judges.
“Italians have a big e-library of courses, and judges can choose among them and study. We did not have such an e-library,” shared Ms. Baitikova. “Now we’ve opened the page on our website and started publications”.
Comprehensive Education for Court Chairpersons
After a trip to Italy, the HJTC has planned a separate in-depth training courses for court chairpersons on not only management skills, but also budgeting.
“Chairmen of courts in Kyrgyzstan change every three years, thus it is necessary to train them comprehensively and separately,” Ms.Baitikova said.
Moreover, judges from remote southern regions won’t need to come to Bishkek for training if the plan of the HJTC to open regional schools will be implemented.
“We are thinking of opening a branch in the southern region of Kyrgyzstan, since it is a remote region and convenient for judges. Italy also has regional schools. After studying their experience, we decided that this gives results,” said Ms. Baitikova.
Another case that attracted the HJTC is the experience of the Armenian Justice Academy.
“We liked the fact that training, accommodation, and meals are all provided in one building in Armenia. In this regard, we could also learn from their experience, because when our judges arrive, we always accommodate them in hotels”.
Mentorship for Newly Appointed Judges
The Kyrgyz delegation has also learned the experience of the National School of Ukraine, and liked their mentorship program.
“Our mentorship program, which would allow the experienced judges help new ones in the field, is only being developed and doesn’t work yet,” she said. “We spoke with Ukrainian colleagues and would like to conclude a memorandum to learn from their mentorship experience”.
Ms. Baitikova said that it is no secret that “more than 80% of the judges in the country have changed, they are young, few have more than five years of experience”.
The Study Trip
The study trip took place on October 21-25, 2019 as part of the USAID-IDLO “Trusted Judiciary” Program. Delegates studied the Italian judiciary and the experience of their School for the Judiciary.
