The seventh Forum of Nongovernmental Organizations in Chisinau brought together about 100 representatives of public institutions, NGO leaders, donors and foreign experts. The implementation of the Civil Society Development Strategy was the main subject for discussion, IPN reports.

Attending the event, Head of Parliament Igor Corman said the NGOs play a very important role in promoting reforms and in the country’s development. All the state institutions should realize the necessity of cooperating with civil society. “We should change the approaches and mentality so as to have a partnership. But the NGOs should be realistic as we do not have the possibilities of other countries. We must establish this cooperation so as to pursue common goals,” stated the Speaker.

Gerhard Schaumberger, Head of Coordination Office for Development Cooperation of the Embassy of Austria, said the cooperation between the state institutions and the NGOs should be strengthened in such areas with social impact as the fight against corruption and poverty, while the Government must work out more efficient mechanisms for financing the NGOs. The Government and the state institutions should regard the NGOs as a partner in implementing the mentioned priorities.

Andrei Brighidin, director for development at East Europe Foundation, said that civil society plays a key role in democratic development. In essence, civil society is a platform by which the people’s initiatives are promoted to contribute to the development of the social and economic policies. There are a series of preconditions needed to establish durable civil society, including a favorable environment for development and NGO transparency.

The Forum of Nongovernmental Organizations of Moldova takes place on June 13-14