Moldovans settled abroad see Moldova as a country of contrasts

{Info-Prim Neo Interview with Ala Mandacanu, president of the Moldovan Community of Quebec and spokesperson for the Diaspora Coordinating Council, story 8 of 12 of the“Year 2012 in Moldova’s and Moldovans’ life” Series}. [ – Please continue the saying: “East or West, home is...” in the version of 2012 as seen by the Moldovans living or working in Canada or elsewhere abroad.] – “East or West, home is where you feel safe”. Moreover, it is the future of your children, a sense of stability and a positive outlook that matter. People today don't leave abroad because they have nothing to eat, but because of a serious crisis of identity of the Republic of Moldova. Not even today, twenty one years into independence, has society reached concord on the name of the language, on our national identity or on the vector of development, east or west. [ – Those who have been living abroad for a while and can make a comparison, how did they see Moldova in 2012, what image does it have from afar, what new features has it developed?] – If we are talking about the outward aspect of Chisinau, its solid pace of development is really impressing. This is true not only of Chisinau, but also of other towns and even some villages. Cultural and intellectual achievements are also impressive. Gifted children win international competitions, authors launch books, artists perform in outstanding plays, life goes on. However, if we are talking about the atmosphere within society, I should say I find it depressing. Even if people wear nice clothes, drive fancy cars and live in lavish houses, at a closer contact with them and when talking on political issues, people are quite upset, stressed and frustrated. You don't see smiling faces on the street; public servants are rude with the citizens. Kindness paradoxically goes hand in hand with malice, altruism with rapacity, and dedication with small-mindedness. A country of contrasts – that's how we see Moldova from abroad. But this perception does not reduce the sentiment of love and affection for our native country. [ – What does separate those who left the country and those who stayed? What does unite us? Will the differences grow or reduce from 2013 forward?] – As I argued at the V Congress of the Diaspora on October 11, the binary paradigm of migration, permanent and temporary emigration, is no longer true. Today we have a new paradigm, a circular migration, when people leave and return, without losing connection with the native country and maintaining close affective, economic and cultural ties with Moldova. In this regard, differences are minimal. However, there are some particularities that have been growing increasingly evident in recent years. The movement of people has become a fundamental principle in the European Union, alongside the movement of services, capital and goods; those who spend a while in Western European countries or in such countries as the United States or Canada come back home with a whole new experience and a different frame of mind. Those who return, even briefly, can immediately feel differences in such areas as human rights, the relationship between the state and the citizen, or the judiciary. While Moldovan migrants in CIS countries are used to frequent violations of economic nature, to corruption and to the subjugation of the judiciary to political interests, those who return from EU countries or the United States or Canada cannot accept to be treated in a way that contravenes the Constitution or international law. I think this is the major difference. When Moldova is ready to integrate into the European Union and its citizens at all levels learn to stick to the same rules that are based on lawfulness, equity and transparency, then the differences that keep thousands of Moldovans away from home will disappear as well. At least, I hope this is what will happen in the next 5 or 10 years. [ – In 2012 Moldova was visited by a number of foreign officials, mostly from Europe. What do people overseas know about Moldova?] – People abroad gain more and more knowledge about Moldova, and this is partly due to the rather efficient diplomatic activity in recent years, but also due to the activism of the Moldovans living or studying abroad. Promoting Moldova's image abroad should first of all be a priority of the state policies. The diaspora can contribute with ideas, with projects and concrete actions. [ – Does the fact that Moldova doesn't have an embassy in Canada affect the activity and life of the Moldovans there?] – I must say that the Embassy of Moldova in Washington does a good job maintaining relations with Moldovans in Canada as well. Since 2009 we have organized, with the Embassy's help, consular services on a quarterly basis for the Moldovans in Montreal. Since then, the diplomats Nicolae Chirtoaca, Andrei Galbur and Igor Munteanu, the Embassy's Secretary Sergiu Luca and Consul Sergiu Odainic visited us. As for the incumbent Consul Nicolae Popa, he has visited us in Montreal multiple times, not just for consular services, but also during parliamentary elections. The community members appreciate his professionalism and correctness, as well as his wife Tatiana's, who helps him during their visits to Canada. The opening of an embassy and consulate in Ottawa is something we've been awaiting for a long time. Besides the development of bilateral economic and cultural relations that have a huge potential and could bring incontestable gains to Moldova, our citizens in Canada will be able to enjoy consular services on a permanent rather than quarterly basis. [ – Was there something special this year that marked the Moldovan diaspora?] – This year we had several major events. In spring, we welcomed Pavel and Cleopatra Stratan, who performed for children and parents not just in Montreal, but also in Toronto. We held the Romanian Language Day, both in Montreal and Toronto. Singers Angela Bucico and Mihai Ciobanu performed for us on the Days of Moldova. On December 1, we organized together with other Romanian-speaking communities in Montreal the first Gala of Romanian Notable Figures. I can say with pride that this was an event that was held at the highest organizational and cultural level. Nicolae Margineanu, the vice president of Quebec's Community of Moldovans, was awarded the Grand Prix in recognition of his efforts to promote culture. We have numerous projects, seminars and contests. The limited space of the interview doesn't allow me to name all those involved in community activities, but I have to say that in Canada we have people that are absolutely remarkable, talented and truly dedicated to national cultural values. [ – Have the authorities' actions changed in any way, in relation to both those who left and those who stayed? Was anything notable done in this regard in 2012?] – I must say that in the last two years the Moldovan authorities' attitude towards the diaspora has changed dramatically. Just to give you a few examples: the conventions of the diaspora are better organized, top officials attend these conventions and participate in thematic meetings, diaspora representatives are awarded state distinctions, and the Bureau for the Diaspora was created – all these are a telling proof to this change. The diaspora is now directly participating, in cooperation with the Bureau for the Diaspora, in developing an action plan for 2013. We have recently participated in an on-line meeting organized by the Central Election Commission, which was dedicated to the involvement of the diaspora in parliamentary elections. Now the Bureau invited the diaspora to participate in filling vacancies in this new organization, which aims to coordinate interaction policies between the state and the diaspora. We'll see what the future holds. So far, the cooperation of the diaspora with the Bureau's director Victor Lutenco has been efficient. [ – You told us in a previous interview that the number of Moldovans moving to Canada is rising. Is it a good thing for Moldova and the Moldovans or a bad thing?] – Human resources are the most precious asset of a nation. So apparently the departure of people from Moldova is a negative phenomenon. However, as I mentioned earlier, due to the fact that we have a circular migration, I think the experience, the knowledge and the managerial skills our citizens acquire abroad can be put to good use. Whereas in the past the immigrants would lose their citizenship, today they keep it, and they keep it carefully. Moreover, many parents who have long since acquired Canadian citizenship get Moldovan papers for their Canada-born children, too. Each summer, hundreds of children go to spend their vacation at their grandparents in Moldova. And the Moldovan government should take care not to lose its human resources, wherever they may be. [ – Will anything change as regards migration if Moldova someday joins the European Union?] – In my opinion, those who intended to leave, have done it already. But the positive effects will be much bigger, I think. Families will reintegrate, children will be reunited with their mothers, spouses will no longer live separated for indefinite periods. The spirit of the European civilization will circulate more freely in Moldova. European laws will significantly reduce Soviet and communist practices which are still enduring in Chisinau. Corruption will be curbed dramatically. Human rights will advance to a whole new level. The Romanian language will be given its due. That's how I see things. [ – Thank you for the interview.] – I wish Happy Holidays to Info-Prim Neo and to the readers of this interview. See you in Chisinau in 2013. [Mariana Galben, Info-Prim Neo]