Mariia Taras

Executive Director of the Rule of Law Center, Ukrainian Catholic University (Lviv, Ukraine). Studied at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv (Ukraine) and Vilnius University (Lithuania).

Since 2015 Ms. Taras has been working at the UCU Rule of Law Center and coordinates the project in business and human rights from 2016. In cooperation with the main stakeholders (NGOs, government bodies and business associations) the project aims to solve the problem of inadequate training of experts in business and human rights by studying, discussing and exploring topical challenges and issues, and best practices in protecting human rights in the business environment, as well as the role of the business environment in ensuring transparency in society and sustainable development goals.

In general, the purpose of the Rule of Law Center (RLC) at the Ukrainian Catholic University is educational and research activities in the field of law and human rights. Using a wide range of relationships with domestic and foreign universities, research and advocacy organizations, the Center is looking forward to establishing a broad network of institutional cooperation on issues of the rule of law and human rights. The objectives of the Center: to develop educational programs and courses aimed at training of highly qualified specialists in the field of human rights; to conduct research, promote and disseminate contemporary theoretical and practical knowledge on the rule of law, human rights protection, etc.; to develop a scholarly basis for a deeper study of the rule of law and human rights in the current situation; to provide legal advice and implement projects for ensuring the rule of law and human rights protection.

Ms. Taras also teaches at the UCU LL.M Program in Human Rights, as well as the UCU LL.B Program “Ethics-Politics-Economics”.