UNHCR collaborates with Universities in Moldova

(Speech by Mr Peter Kessler, UNHCR Representative in Moldova held before students)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour for me to be here at the International Free University of Moldova (ULIM) for the ceremony of donation of specialized publications and books on refugee law, human rights law, European law and international humanitarian law. These books, purchased by UNHCR under the EU-funded “Regional Protection Programme in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine,” will be used as reference materials in the Library of ULIM University to support research and courses involving human rights and refugee protection.

As you may see here, students and professors of ULIM University will benefit from the 260 copies of relevant books and publications donated today, with a total value of 26 000 Moldovan lei. A similar donation ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow at the State University of Moldova.

ULIM is one of UNHCR’s long-standing partners in Moldova - it was the first educational institution in Moldova to introduce refugee law course into its curriculum.

Over the years UNHCR have had an internship programme with support of ULIM which is mutually beneficial as it helps students learn more about our work in Moldova and gives us the opportunity to train specialists in the area of refugee protection. And ULIM is currently the location for Romanian language courses for refugees and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection under the EU-funded RPP initiative.

Since the opening of the UNHCR office in Moldova in 1997, our role has gradually moved from assisting the government in establishing legal and procedural framework to implements its responsibility to care for asylum seekers, refugees and other people we protect to that of building capacity, including training Ministry of Interior and Border Guard Service staff, judiciary and developing public awareness in regard to refugees.

Given the central role of education in helping to build Moldova’s future leaders, we are pleased to work closely with institutions such as ULIM.

I am extremely happy that a refugee law course is currently taught at four Moldovan institutions – ULIM, Moldovan State University, Stefan cel Mare Police Academy and Border Guard College, an educational outreach effort that does not exist elsewhere in the region. Also, discussions are underway to introduce certain modules of the European Asylum Curriculum into the professional development programme for the competent state authorities.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention (July 28) which Moldova acceded to ten years ago this November; the 50th anniversary of the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (August 30.

These commemorations that we hope to celebrate also together with the students, professors and staff of ULIM, as well as the wider population, do not represent the culmination of UNHCR’s work in Moldova.

We continue to strive to help Moldova prepare for the important role it must play in the wider European context and with all the relevant European institutions, including in the provision of quality refugee status determination.

The existing protection environment is complex and gaps remain. There is much that young lawyers and human rights advocates such as yourselves will have to accomplish in the years to come as we all build on and consolidiate the proud achievements of Moldova’s government over the last two decades which mark this country amongst all others in the region as we all work to strengthen the international refugee protection.

With this said, please allow me to give the floor to my colleagues who will continue with a public lecture on the Role of UNHCR in the protection of refugees in Moldova and worldwide.

Thank you.

24 February 2011