The international festival Civic Fest, which brings together the most active NGOs, projects worth being followed and partners on a common platform to exchange good practices and innovative ideas, was opened in Chisinau on September 24. The third festival of the kind began at the National Museum of Arts, but on September 26 will continue at the Open-Air Theater of the cultural reserve “Orheiul Vechi” in Butuceni, IPN reports.
Sorin Mereacre, chairman of East Europe Foundation, which is the event’s partner, said the Association Agreement with the EU provides for the creation of a common platform for dialogue and cooperation between civil society of the EU and Moldova. “It is a very good opportunity for us all to help implement this accord and to monitor how other bodies implement it and to also make our own contribution so that the results are more palpable and felt by the people,” stated Sorin Mereacre, adding that Civic Fest is important also for stimulating an open dialogue between the public authorities, the business sector and NGOs.
Danielle Keulen, deputy head of the Projects Section of the EU Delegation to Moldova, said the involvement of civil society and its constituents is an essential instrument of the EU for guaranteeing the democratic legitimacy of the European institutions and actions that bring the EU closer to the people. Fifty years ago there were founded trade union bodies and organizations to allow the people to express themselves and to offer them the opportunity to become involved in creating EU policies. “Participatory democracy brought positive results in the European Union and the EU believes that civil society and the active citizens are an important instrument and partners that stimulate pluralistic society, sustainable development, the defense of human rights, etc.” said Danielle Keulen.
Attending the event, Minister of Culture Monica Babuc said the Ministry is making effort to develop and maintain a close dialogue. She gave as example a project that has been implemented for five years already. This project envisions the financing of cultural initiatives implemented by NGOs and associations working in the field of culture.
This Saturday, the festival will continue in Butuceni. According to the organizers, the place was chosen not accidentally as this settlement is a visiting card of the country and a model that encourages the more active participation of people in community development. There will be launched a number of civic initiatives designed to protect the environment, to conserve the natural and historical heritage and to promote ecological culture.
The event forms part of Civil Society Days that are organized in partnership with FHI 360/Moldova Partnerships for Sustainable Civil Society.
