Young people from all over the country gathered today in Balti for the largest forum in the Republic of Moldova – Moldova Youth Forum 2024 - to discuss, learn and cooperate for a better future. The event entitled “Empowering young people for more active involvement and efficient governance” is organized by the International Republican Institute - IRI Moldova. The Institute noted that it is a continuous commitment to empowering the young people in the Republic of Moldova. The event provides a platform for young people to create connections and influence national policies, thus contributing to the prosperous future of society, IPN reports.
IRI Moldova country program director Krzysztof Lisek said that the Moldova Youth Forum is already at its third edition. The first two editions were held in Chisinau and Comrat. Krzysztof Lisek expressed hope that one of the future editions will be organized in Tiraspol (in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova).
The third edition of the MYF brings together over 300 participants, including 30 young people from abroad. This year’s Forum focuses on panel discussions, but also on practical workshops, which will encourage participants to contribute to the formulation of public policy proposals aimed at addressing societal challenges. Among the topics discussed at the MYF 2024 are digital innovation, sustainable development, inclusion, mental health, education, entrepreneurship, European integration, promoting youth advocacy.
Brigitta Triebel, director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation Office in the Republic of Moldova, thanked the young people for coming in large numbers and for their interest in a dialogue with experts in the fields addressed during the discussion panels.
Present at the event, Laura Hruby, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, said that today the Republic of Moldova is going through a critical moment, accelerating a deeper integration into Europe. “Today, Moldova’s democracy is more vibrant than ever. The Moldovans choose the path of integrity and real commitment to reforms. You, who are the new generation of leaders of the country, will have to guide it on this path and you can count on the support of the United States in this effort,” stated said Laura Hruby.
President Maia Sandu sent a video message to the young people, noting that each age is unrepeatable, but the difference is that the young people have a life to discover. “Don’t run away from work. Truly precious things are obtained only through a lot of effort. Those who promise you easy victories do not wish you well. Learn languages. The world is so big and knowing more languages helps you to communicate with different people, to know more and, of course, to find your way home when you get lost in a foreign city,” stated the official.
The MYF 2024 is organized by the International Republican Institute with the financial support of USAID, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the NATO Liaison Office, the Government of the Republic of Moldova, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Moldova, the Hanns Seidel Foundation and other partners.
The Moldova Youth Forum 2024 will also take place on Sunday, starting at 10:00 a.m., at “Vasile Alecsandri” Theater in Balti.
