New Winds in Moldova

The project Together for Change began in the summer of 2024 and is scheduled to conclude in the summer of 2025. At the Moldovan partner organisation, the first early results are already visible. Constanta Botnar, the project manager, explains:

“Our goal is to build a network of young students who will help sow the seeds for a new way of teaching — one that meets young people where they are and listens to them. And one that strengthens the standards for how human rights education is delivered in Moldova.”

The Pedagogical University in Chișinău has joined the project, which is a crucial step toward achieving change that can truly resonate across schools throughout the country.

“It is the largest university of its kind in Moldova. They understand the idea and recognise the need,” Constanta says.

I see children and young people in Moldova losing hope and faith in the future. I want something different for my children.

A deeper understanding of human rights and equipping young people with tools to participate in public debate are key elements in strengthening Moldova’s democratic development.

As a mother of two, Marina Trifan also sees the necessity. She is one of the students who has volunteered to join the network.

“The school system in Moldova is very traditional. It does not prepare children for life outside. It doesn’t help them understand themselves — what they want, what they are good at. It doesn’t teach them how to make the right choices for themselves. I see children and young people in Moldova losing hope and faith in the future. I want something different for my own children,” Marina says.

Human rights–based education is still not a major focus within Moldova’s school system, according to Constanta Botnar. Human rights education has been formally introduced, but like much of the rest of the curriculum, teachers often take a very traditional and conservative approach. Many find it difficult to translate the topic into contemporary issues such as climate change, social justice or digital rights — and what these themes mean for individuals today.

Constanta sees this as a critical problem.

“Students are not being equipped to participate in debates on these issues, nor to understand their own rights in a modern context,” she explains, adding: “We hope the new student network can help change that.”

“Human rights matter. Everyone should know their rights, how to ask for help if their rights are violated, and who they can turn to.”

The project initially planned to engage 26 student teachers. But 83 students showed up to hear more, and 40 chose to participate. The response surprised and impressed Constanta.

“They are already full-time students. Their commitment is extraordinary,” she says.

In autumn 2024, the project held a workshop for network members on human rights and best practices for teaching them. In December, the network members themselves taught a group of pupils about human rights and what these rights mean for them as children and young people. The lessons were planned in pairs, with support from a mentor. For Marina, it was a positive experience:

“The children were so interested. They also want to see change.”

Constanta Botnar from Amnesty International Moldova hopes the project will create ripple effects.

“We hope that the student teachers in the network will help shape the teaching culture more broadly — and human rights education in particular — once they graduate. That they will be able to offer their pupils better and more relevant teaching,” she says, continuing: “This will strengthen the position of children and young people in Moldova and give them a stronger voice.”

“Change starts with us. If we don’t act, who will?”

When Marina finishes her psychology degree, she also hopes to contribute by drawing on her experience from the project:

“As a psychologist, I want to be able to help the children who come to me. The project has already given me insights into law and rights that I can use to support my future clients. And that is what I want — to help. And now I can see that I have the power to do that.”

Constanta Botnar hopes that the model and lessons from Moldova can inspire similar networks in other countries across the region. In Moldova, the project is already well underway.

CISU opened its new Neighbourhood Fund for applications for the first time in early 2024. Over the course of the year, 13 initiatives were launched in the region through this funding scheme. It is expected that from 2025 onwards, a significantly larger number of applications will be submitted, as CISU’s member organisations and their partners begin engaging more actively in initiatives across the region.