With highs and lows, 2017 is nearing its end. It is a good time for conclusions. On this occasion, IPN has gathered good thought from all over the globe, this time only good thoughts, from decision-makers and from those on the receiving end of these decisions. What good has come of 2017? This is the question we posed to the people who have accepted to join us in our pursuit of the good in our surroundings and in the events that affect us. Although many things do not follow our wishes, winners are the people and societies that learn to see challenges and lesser things as extra opportunities to get involved and make things better. For each of the topics we approach, we provide rankings that reflect the opinions of those who developed them. Read further for the good things 2017 has brought to the diaspora.
---
Ranking by the Government of the Republic of Moldova:
1. Involvement of diaspora representatives in public policy making
“A Government Program was launched in 2017 - The Diaspora Excellency Groups. It aims at involving highly qualified specialists from the diaspora, together with the Prime Minister’s counselors and public authority representatives in developing and implementing high-priority Governmental policies. Thus, the diaspora directly contributes to the public policy and development of Moldova.”
2. 65 projects funded
“The Diaspora Engagement Hub - a Government Grant Program - has funded 65 projects, implemented by members and associations of the Moldova diaspora. Meanwhile, a new round of grants has been launched in December, for projects that support the development of regional thematic partnerships, empowerment of women in the diaspora, as well as the return of professionals from the diaspora. We are taking concrete steps in strengthening our partnership with the diaspora, in order to encourage Moldovans to return home.”
3. Approval of the 2017-2020 Action Plan for the (re)integration of returning immigrants.
“The Action Plan aims to develop programs and services destined to citizens of Moldova who have returned from abroad, by offering the necessary reintegration support. Some of the activities are: the diversification of measures and improvement of services for educational (re)integration, programs for the youth and elderly, labor force-related measure as well. Other activities are concerned with using the media to promote possibilities to access financial funds for Moldovans who are returning from abroad, implementation and diversification of programs that attract remittances into the national economy. This document is the Government’s way to assume the Diaspora as one of its priorities. The document was approved by the Government on 23 August 2017.
4. Organization of the Diaspora Days and the DOR camp
“On 18-20 August 2017, the Government held the fourth edition of the Diaspora Days. During the event, diaspora representatives have put forward proposals to the improvement of public authorities’ activity, and have discussed with Government representatives about the former’s activity objectives. Furthermore, the fifth edition of the Government Program DOR took place, under the theme “Diaspora*Origins*Returns.” The camp hosted over 80 children from the diaspora and 20 children from Moldova. We will continue such activities and wish, through them, to integrate diaspora representation into the Moldovan decision-making process.”
5. Closer dialogue with diaspora representatives and promotion of Moldovan traditions abroad
“Throughout 2017, a series of meetings between public authorities and diaspora representatives have taken place, both abroad and in Chisinau. Furthermore, Moldovan Culture Days have taken place in several countries, including Portugal, Israel, Belarus, along with a series of cultural-artistic events that promote Moldovan customs. In order to motivate children from the diaspora to learn Romanian, and thus form emotional bonds with their homeland, the Government has donated over 500 “Albinuța” ABCs, signed by Grigore Vieru, to children born in the diaspora. The books also contained a message from Premier Pavel Filip. There are various gestures, some symbolical, some concrete, that political decision-makers can offer to Moldovans in the Diaspora, and this Government will continue doing them, striving to build more bridges back into the country.”
Ranking by the Bureau for Diaspora Relations (BRD):
1. The Diaspora Excellency Groups launched in May 2017.
“The Program aims to have specialists from the diaspora work alongside the Premier’s councillors. By developing new policies or country-level strategies, they will issue recommendations on certain documents, depending on their fields of activity and expertise, thus contributing directly to the development of their home country. Nine individuals have been selected to participate.”
2. The Diaspora Engagement Hub supported 65 projects proposed by diaspora members and associations
“The Program was implemented in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including the following sub-programs: Professional Return of the Diaspora; Diaspora Innovation Projects; Thematic Regional Partnerships; Empowerment of Women in the Diaspora; Diaspora Crowdfunding Projects; Diaspora Education Projects.”
3. The fifth edition of the Government Program DOR —Diaspora*Origins*Returns
“197 children from 14 countries applied for DOR, of which 80 from the diaspora and 20 from Moldova have been selected to participate.”
4. The launch of a new Government Program — “Missing Home for Christmas” — exclusively dedicated to the members of the diaspora.
“Moldovan pop singers Geta Burlacu and Aurel Chirtoacă were on a diaspora tour, caroling for Moldovans in Rome (December 15), Frankfurt (December 16), Paris (December 17). The program aims to promote national culture, traditions, old customs among Moldovans who live abroad, regardless of their countries of residence, to maintain social-cultural ties to their homeland, as well as to strengthen relationships among diaspora associations and communities.”
5. The first Diaspora Biennial, on 26 December 2017
“A networking event for and with the participation of the diaspora. It offers a communication platform for those who intend to return home for the winter holidays. The event strives to promote and awards members of the diaspora who hold achievements in various fields of activity.”
Ranking by the “Adopt a Vote” Community:
1. Strengthening the spirit of civil duty within the diaspora, through the organization of several events
2. Implementation of long-term impact projects within the country
3. Closer friendship among the communities of Moldovans who live abroad
