Around 25% of young people in Moldova say they do not support the country's integration into the European Union and regret the break-up of the Soviet Union. The second round of the presidential elections mobilized slightly more than the first round and referendum. Tatiana Cojocari, PhD in sociology, a permanent expert, mentioned this during a public debate, adding that young people mostly see the European Union as a development model for Moldova.
Tatiana Cojocari, PhD in sociology, emphasized that the youth in the Republic of Moldova is not an exception in terms of the Euro-sceptic tendency of young people at the European level and there is a degree of criticism towards the processes of the European Union, although the country is not yet part of the EU. Tatiana Cojocari explained that the process of integration of the European Union has been very much connected with the parties that represent us and not all young people identify with the existing political parties, even if they are pro-European.
According to the sociologist, young people become apathetic when they are either not involved, do not identify, or because of misinformation that they do not matter and cannot change anything. "Let's get young people involved, let's involve people in small changes at the local level, and the moment you as a young person, as a person, feel that you can do things in your community, you increase your sense of belonging to the community, you feel civically obligated," the permanent expert emphasized at the debate.
Tatiana Cojocari noted that often young people are discouraged, including at the family level, to express their opinion, when there is the head of the family, parents, adults, who have a say. "I would like to see a much more rebellious youth in the Republic of Moldova, a rebellious youth who have discussions, who have dialog in the family, because this is very important," said the doctor in sociology.
The permanent expert continued that it is often young people who can influence their relatives and family to make a decision, even a political one, but there is still a tendency not to discuss politics in the family, not to discuss social issues, because this could lead to quarrels. "I think that this is where we should rethink the process, how to get young people more involved, even within the family," Tatiana Cojocari noted.
The expert also emphasized a huge, unfounded pressure on young people in terms of civic involvement, contribution to the economy. "We tend to criticize young people, without actually understanding the causes and phenomena, and I would like to have more studies and analysis, based on data, to explain things, and not to tend to criticize and put pressure on young people, without providing them with resources and opportunities, because this is basically one of the objectives of the European Union - to provide as many opportunities as possible to young people", Tatiana Cojocari concluded.
The public debate on "The role of young people and youth organizations in the process of European integration" is organized in the framework of the project "IPN News Agency for social cohesion and pro-European Moldova", funded by IMS.
