Moldova/ 4.2 Specific policy issues and recent debates  

4.2.8 Social cohesion and cultural policies

On December 19, 2003 the former Parliament approved the "Concept on National State Policy of the Republic of Moldova" that claims to be the fundamental document on the basis of which public authorities develop social-economic and cultural policies and consolidate these policies to the issue of social cohesion. In fact, the Concept imposes, in a very totalitarian manner, the ideology of the communist party on the most inflammable issues for the population. It is ignored by public cultural institutions.

Social cohesion is not a specific issue of cultural policies in Moldova, however it figures as a main goal in all social-economic state programmes and strategies launched during 2004-2006 years. On the other hand, the increasing number of socio-cultural and general cultural events, as well as the number and extension of their audiences and participation, shows that social cohesion has already become an issue of cultural policy.

In July 2002, the Republic of Moldova signed the European Charter on Regional or Minorities Languages. In order to prepare the ratification of this important document by the Moldovan Parliament, the Council of Europe and the Centre for Minority Issues organised a series of activities: 3 informational seminars in Comrat, Taraclia and Briceni and a national conference in Chisinau. On 27 September, 2007 in Comrat, a seminar was held on "The European Charter on Regional or Minorities Languages – an instrument for promotion of cultural diversity and mutual concord between the groups speaking different languages in a multicultural society. The role of local and regional public authorities in the promotion and implementation of the Charter in Moldova". The seminar was supported by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the Department of Inter-Ethnical Relations, the Popular Meeting of Gagauzia, the Foundation for the Support and Development of Gagauz Science and Culture in collaboration with the Institute of Cultural Patrimony of Moldova's Academy of Science, the Centre of Resources for Human Rights "CReDO", the Centre of Inter-ethnical Research and the Council for coordination of the ethno-cultural NGOs in Moldova.

Over the last 10 years, Moldova has accumulated a lot of experience in organising special events around national, religious and other holidays. These events are attended by thousands of people from different nationalities, ages and social conditions and have a proven to be effective for promoting social cohesion and understanding.  Many of them are organised and financed by different private companies.

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