Press Release

about the organization of the debate “Political culture and civil society”, the 9^th episode in the series “Developing political culture in public debates”. Series of public debates held by Info-Prim Neo news agency in its conference room”, supported by German Foundation “Hanns Seidel”

The 8^th debate in the series took place on July 27, 2012 and its topic was the role of civil society in promoting political culture in a democratic society. The participants were Lilia Carasciuc, director of Transparency International Moldova; Iurie Tap, PLDM parliamentarian; Sergiu Ostaf, CReDO director and chairman of the National Participatory Council; Corneliu Gurin, deputy leader of the Democratic Action Party; Viorel Ciubotaru from the Association of Christian Orthodox Parents and Pedagogue and expert Igor Botan, director of the Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT.

The participants affirmed that the role of civil society is to temper the maximization of the parties’ and governors’ particular interests for the benefit of the common interests of society. In turn, common interest is based on two landmarks: European democratic values and economic wellbeing and efficiency in society. According to the debaters, the government’s behavior must adapt to these basic landmarks. The representatives of the political class at the debate said that the government must be interested in forming a strong civil society with a high level of political culture, which should derive from the politicians’ general culture. Political power must be controlled by the people. Balance can be imposed by civil society, which represents ordinary citizens. Civil society should also mediate the process of humanization of relations between the political class and the people, and change these relations from antagonism and subordination to collaboration.

The Agencu published four news reports on the debate(see the English version of www.info-prim.md ): on 28.07.12, „Government should be more open towards civilians, debates” - http://www.info-prim.md/?a=10&nD=2012/07/28&ay=48089, on 30.07.12 „Ostaf: Government brings wicked people to power” - http://www.info-prim.md/?a=10&nD=2012/07/30&ay=48101, - „Governing democratic parties are contaminated with Bolshevism, Lib-Dem MP” - http://www.info-prim.md/?a=10&nD=2012/07/30&ay=48102, and on 31.07.21 „Civil society influences society’s state of spirit, debates” - http://www.info-prim.md/?a=10&nD=2012/07/31&ay=48128

The mini-series of three debates was organized in July, instead of three months, as stipulated in the project, in order to avoid the situation when it would be impossible to ensure the balanced participation of politicians who go on summer holidays.

Valeriu Vasilică, director of Info-Prim Neo

July 30, 2012