Study Trip in Moldova

Beautiful landscapes, overwhelming hospitability and a young, big, active and inclusive youth organization – this would be the easiest way to sum up the experiences of the EDS Study Trip to Moldova, conducted by EDS Chairman Bence Bauer between 15^th and 19^th November 2009.

The youth generation of the Moldovan Christian-Democrat Party, Noua Generatie PPCD and its leadership around Chairman Victor Ciobanu, Vice Chairmen Ludmila Ciubaciuc, Mihail Mihai and International Secretary Elena Catisev invited EDS Chairman to take part in the conference series with the title “Youth – in the process of elaborating the youth policies of the future” which was organized in Cahul and Balti.

On its conference series, NG PPCD attracted more than 150 young people who listened to the presentations of EDS Chairman Bence Bauer and BullsEye Editor-in-chief Sandra Falkowska. The series was about to mobilise young people for politics and making them interested in becoming active. Additonally to the EDS presentations, Konrad Adenauer Foundation and Robert Schuman Foundation presented their work and activities via their country representatives, Mrs. Natalia Corobca-Ianusevici and Mr. Markus Neuhaus.

EDS Chairman explained the history of our organisation and its fields of activities as well as current and ongoing projects especially like the campaign “20 years after – generation 1989 speaks out”. The youngsters from the two main cities of Moldova apart from the capital Chisinau got acquainted with EDS and engaged in a dialogue on the Bologna Process, EDS campaigns and the policy of EDS allover the decades since its existence aiming a free, united Europe. Special attention was drawn on the “One Europe” campaign of EDS from the 60´s which at that time was a pioneer project of EDS.

Besides the participation and presentation at the two venues of the conference EDS officials could meet former NG PPCD Chairwoman and PPCD International Secretary Victoria Cusnir-Federiuc and PPCD Chairman Iure Rosca. During the meetings, it was pointed out that there is no alternative to Moldova then the European and the Euroatlantic perspective. NG PPCD stays always a strong and reliable partner in the work of the integration of the Republic of Moldova.

During the stay, the venues of the upcoming EDS Council Meeting in Chisinau that will take place from 6^th-10^th October 2010 could be visited and the preparations followed. NG PPCD is active and committed to the European project and with the help of the Council Meeting, EDS will prove its strong and good relations with Moldova and NG PPCD.

Sandra Falkowska