THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS IN STRENGTHENING THE SECURITY AND DEFENSE SECTOR OF THE STATE

The article considers the problems of special and intelligence services, defines the role of civil society in expanding the intelligence community of Ukraine. Examples of advanced countries’ best foreign practices in the engagement of NGOs in national security problems solutions are given. Essential for our State national security priority tasks have been identified. These include: "rebooting" the security sector, strengthening mutual trust, promoting democratic institutions, and building an active civil society. Areas and ways of non-governmental institutions and public organizations' involvement in the implementation of special tasks to achieve the necessary synergy and strengthen national resilience are identified. Such main areas could include, in particular: drafting recommendations to improve state policy in the areas of national security, the protection of citizens' rights and freedoms, the constitutional order; conducting public examination of the national security bills, drafting national security legislation, monitoring of relevant documents to increase the efficiency of their implementation and the responsibility of enforcers; collecting open sources information commissioned by intelligence and special services, preparing analytical studies and reports on specific issues on a contractual basis; participation in planning and conduct of certain special operations under the general direction and coordination of intelligence agencies and special services; development of basic science in the interests of security and defence of the country, conducting applied research, creating new technologies; preparation of proposals for the implementation of national security legislation; development of appropriate mechanisms and procedures for public control; respect for freedom of speech, constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens.