The Republic of Moldova is a diverse society from the viewpoint of the spoken language and also from the ethnic viewpoint. The rhetoric question is: What is done to put this diversity to good use and should the state play a role in its management? Each state should recognize the existing diversity and is responsible for adopting a correct approach to this diversity, Sergiu Conovalu, national programs coordinator at the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, stated in the EU Debates Café staged by the Institute for European Policies and Reforms, IPN reports.
According to Sergiu Conovalu, there are international mechanisms that cover Moldova too, such as the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Each citizen, regardless of the group of which they form part, should have the right to take part in electoral processes, the cultural life and enjoy equal chances of becoming employed, of becoming involved in decision making so that the decisions taken at government level reflect the needs of all the persons, no matter what group they form part of.
Dmitri Moruz, director of the Interethnic Relations Agency, spoke about the Festival of Ethnic Groups – a platform that offers the ethnic communities and cultural and ethnic groups the possibility of presenting themselves. But one or two events are not enough to promote and increase social cohesion and more should be done.
Inna Șupac, researcher of the Academy of International Affairs of Bonn, noted that a national consensus on the European integration of Moldova should be reached so that Moldova’s accession path becomes irreversible. To achieve such a consensus, a credible platform should be created to discuss with all the sections of Moldovan society, including different ethnic groups, so that everyone realizes that the EU values refer to the observance of rights, including the rights of national minorities.
Mihail Plațînda, head of the Youth Platform for Interethnic Solidary, stated that diversity is the treasure of a country. But when it is not put to good use, it can become the cause of conflicts, including interethnic ones. It is important to avoid something like this.
