Moldova’s civil servants learn to implement national interethnic relations strategy with support of OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) and the Bureau for Interethnic Relations of the Republic of Moldova (BIR) jointly organized an induction training course from 22 to 24 May 2018 in Vadul lui Vodă, Moldova, to introduce the country’s civil servants to key concepts of the National Strategy for the Consolidation of Interethnic Relations 2017-2027 and the related Action Plan.

The course brought together representatives of the state agencies responsible for implementing the National Strategy and the Action Plan, providing them with an opportunity to jointly elaborate concrete steps towards putting these milestone documents into practice and defining their roles and responsibilities.

Integration experts Kristina Kallas and Marianna Makarova, who previously supported similar processes in Estonia and Kyrgyzstan, facilitated the training and shared their experiences, lessons learnt and good practices.

“The training gave us the chance to speak with experts,” said Oleg Babenco, BIR Director. “After all, it is in the state’s best interest to implement the policy effectively, based on the expertise of qualified experts.”

Developed with the HCNM’s support, the National Strategy reflects the HCNM’s 2012 Ljubljana Guidelines for the Integration of Diverse Societies and the principle that a well-managed integration process can play a crucial role in preventing tensions and promoting interethnic peace.

The HCNM will continue to support Moldova in its interethnic relations policies by providing technical assistance and building capacities to monitor and review the implementation of the National Strategy and the Action Plan.