The Foundation for Modern Democracy, which is an initiative by a group of Moldovan experts and opinion leaders who share center-left values in a pro-European spirit, was launched in Chisinau on October 2, IPN reports, with reference to a press release of the Foundation.
Foundation for Modern Democracy president Cristina Balan said the goal of the new organization is to contribute to the development of civil society and the political class of Moldova by ensuring a broad dialogue platform and reshaping the perceptions of the nature and political goals of the center-left. ”Alongside experts and opinion leaders from the Republic of Moldova, who share the same progressive views and European values, we aim to identify, adjust and facilitate the implementation of the best Western practices that will help us take the Republic of Moldova out of the eternal state of transition closer to the developed Western states. For the purpose, we need the involvement of all those who are not indifferent to the developments in our country,” stated Cristina Balan.
She added that the Foundation intends to openly talk to the foreign partners about Moldova’s accomplishments on the path of European integration and its shortcomings. The Federation’s main projects at internal and external levels will be training projects intended for political factors and decision makers, especially the young generation of center-left leaders, projects to ensure experience exchange with international foundations, to develop reports and analyses, to organize conferences and debates on topical issues.
Marian Lupu, deputy chairman of the center-left Democratic Party of Moldova, welcomed the launch of the initiative, noting the Foundation for Modern Democracy is the first nongovernmental organization in Moldova that will work based on an ideology. “It is a unique project that comes to cultivate the social-democratic values in Moldovan society. In Moldova, the idea that social-democracy is an emanation of the former communist system still persists. But social-democracy has its own values that got shape as a result of a hard struggle that lasted in time. At foreign level, I think the Federation’s contribution will also be of major importance and will help Moldova on its European path,” he stated.
Historian and political commentator Anatol Taranu also welcomed the launch of the Foundation, noting that the experience of Germany or Romania in the field could be successfully implemented in Moldova. “If you stick to the set objectives, you can help a lot in promoting social-democracy in Moldova. We are a poor country where social-democracy does not fully play its role. When we have powerful and authentic social-democratic parties, our country will no longer be the last in Europe. Regrettably, we do not have many experts in the field and veritable expertise in this regard is welcome,” he said.
The launch of the Foundation for Modern Democracy was also welcomed by representatives of the academic community. “The message promoted by the new Foundation – that the place of the Republic of Moldova is in the EU – is plausible as we all dream of seeing our country a shining “show window” of the EU,” said the pro-rector of the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova Valeriu Cerba.
