Tajikistan keen to learn Moldova's social assistance know-how

Decision makers form the Social Protection Ministry, academicians from Tajikistan visited Moldova last week to learn of this country's experience in the social area, the present trends and the solutions found by the Moldovan authorities in cooperation with the civil society, Info-Prim Neo reports. The visit of the Tajiskistani delegation was backed by EveryChild Moldova. According to its manager, Stela Grigoras, Moldova was selected as a hosting country given the progress it has recorded in reforming the social assistance and child protection sector. During four days, the Tajikistani delegation met central and local authorities from Chisinau, Ungheni and Balti, university professors training social assistants. They also visited boarding schools and orphanages for the disabled, etc. Meeting Social Protection Minister Galina Balmos, the Tajikistanis were infomed on the role of the Ministry in drafting policies and monitoring their being implemented, in planning and implementing the reform of the child protection system, the involvement of local authorities and private services providers in implementing the Ministry's development policies. Galina Balmos also informed the guests about the social reforms recently started in Moldova, referring to the Law on social assistance and to the Strategy of creating the integrated system of social services for 2008-2012. The quests were keen to learn of the ministry's structure and functioning of its subordinate subdivisions and the way paying allowances and compensations. The fact-finding visit is part of the project “Strengthening education in social and social assistance areas in Tajikistan” now rolling out in that country, with the financial support of UNICEF and implemented by international organization EveryChild.