The young people of Moldova are invited to file applications to take part in a contest for three International Parliamentary Scholarships of the German Bundestag. The candidates must know well German and have higher education in any field. The applications can be submitted between May 19 and June 30, IPN reports.

Germany’s Ambassador in Chisinau Ulrike Knotz told a news conference that the three young graduates of higher education establishments of Moldova will be selected by a special panel. The scheme involves fifteen-week placements with Members of the German Bundestag. The German side covers the travel and accommodation expenses, while the young people will get a scholarship of €500 a month.

Ulrike Knotz said this program has been implemented since the 1990s and is aimed at promoting democracy in the developing countries. Twenty-five young people from Moldova have so far benefited from such scholarships. The scholars manage to get better paid jobs when they return home.

Andrei Zapanovici, of the first generation of scholars from Moldova, said the scholars choose the area in which they are interested and are then assigned to an MP with a relevant portfolio. The participants are introduced to the wide variety of tasks carried out in a Member’s office. For example, they may find themselves drafting speeches, articles and letters or doing preparatory work for plenary sittings

She said she would recommend Moldova’s Parliament to develop more programs for the young people so as to engage them in the legislative process and offer them thus the possibility of enriching their political culture.

The given program offers also the possibility of studying at the Humboldt University of Berlin.