Moldovan citizens settled abroad have come to Chisinau for two days, to attend the Diaspora Congress. The event takes place every two years and is a platform for discussions between the diaspora and the government about its policies towards the diaspora, the impact of migration on social, economic, academic and political processes at home, and the impact of government policies on the diaspora. This year, the event gathered participants from 28 countries, IPN reports.
Prime Minister Pavel Filip said during the opening speech that Moldovans from the diaspora are true ambassadors of Moldova. “I have a big wish – for Moldovans to come home from abroad. I solemnly promise that I will do my best as Prime Minister to support you”, said the official. He added that he wants to have a dialogue with the diaspora people, that he is interested in their opinion and wants to develop the country with their help. “Our national project is to have people living in a country built according to European values”, said the Prime Minister.
Dorina Baltag, a Moldovan settled in the Netherlands, shared a tip she had learned there – that all discussions about the policies to be implemented must start from solutions, not problems. She encouraged Moldovan authorities to see migration as an opportunity to harness the intellectual potential of Moldovans abroad. Baltag proposed the creation of a “Smart diaspora” event, in which migrants would come up with ideas for the development of the country.
She also spoke about some projects developed by Moldovans abroad, such as the “Traveling Martisor”, in which Moldovans make traditional martisors (a traditional red and white March talisman) and give them to their neighbors and colleagues, or “Taste of Moldova”, when Moldovans prepare traditional dishes not found in their country of settlement. For example, Baltag notes that the Dutch are impressed by nut jam, which is sold out in the first minutes of the event.
The Diaspora Congress is organized on August 19-20 by the State Chancellery’s Bureau for Diaspora Relations (BRD) under the patronage of the Moldovan government, as part of the Diaspora Days and on the eve of the 25th anniversary of Moldovan independence. During the event, the participants will talk about various topics such as the role of diaspora organizations and native organizations for the development of local communities or the challenges faced by the diaspora.
