FUNDAÞIA SOROS MOLDOVA RAPORT DE ACTIVITATE 1996 SOROS FOUNDATION MOLDOVA ACTIVITY REPORT a c t i v i t y r e p o r t 9 6 1 s o r o s f o u n d a t i o n - m o l d o v a 2 a c t i v i t y r e p o r t 9 6 t a b l e o f c o n t e n t s MODERNISATION OF EDUCATION ................................................................................................ 8 DEBATE ............................................................................................................................................. 13 HEALTH EDUCATION ..................................................................................................................... 14 YOUTH PROGRAM.......................................................................................................................... 15 HIGH SCHOOL EXCHANGE ......................................................................................................... 16 ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS ............................................................................................ 16 OPEN GRANTS ................................................................................................................................18 STEP BY STEP ................................................................................................................................19 HESP ................................................................................................................................................. 21 FALANGA ........................................................................................................................................... 24 EAST EAST ....................................................................................................................................... 25 SCHOLARSHIPS ............................................................................................................................. 30 E-MAIL SISTEMS AND INTERNET ............................................................................................... 34 COMSOROS ..................................................................................................................................... 34 LIBRARY ........................................................................................................................................... 36 CIVIL SOCIETY ................................................................................................................................40 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION............................................................................................................ 48 ECONOMIC REFORM .................................................................................................................... 49 LAW REFORM .................................................................................................................................. 51 MEDICINE ......................................................................................................................................... 54 MASS MEDIA .................................................................................................................................... 60 ARTS AND CULTURE .................................................................................................................... 65 SCCA ................................................................................................................................................. 68 PUBLISHING .................................................................................................................................... 71 OPEN WORLD HOUSE.................................................................................................................. 74 a c t i v i t y r e p o r t 9 6 3 s o r o s f o u n d a t i o n - m o l d o v a There are things which happen to each of us, and there are things which happen, inevitably, to all of us. The Soros Foundation opening in 1992, in an incredible legislative vacuum, meant at that time an important step in the transition towards a civil society. Now, when in Moldova work several hundreds of non-governmental organisations, we can say firmly that this is the real chance for this Republic to become a country with a healthy and democratic society. Five years is already an anniversary. Not only for us, people who work at the Foundation. Young specialists, who graduated from higher education institutions in Europe and America with the financial support of Soros Foundation, are already working in Moldova; children in their first grade learned to read from new textbooks, Internet pierced the lack of information s wall... I believe in my country and everything we do is for her prosper future. Lorina BALTEANU President 4 a c t i v i t y r e p o r t 9 6 The work of the Moldova Soros Foundation (MSF) in 1996 was encouraged by the elections and the first peaceful transfer of power since the country gained independence, demonstrating that democratic development in Moldova is possible. The economic situation, however, was more difficult. In spite of macroeconomic stabilisation and considerable support from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, the decline of production still could not be stopped, and the debt accrued in paying retirement funds and wages in 1996 reached alarming levels. This was the context in which MSF put into practice its three basic program initiatives: education, media and civil society. In terms of concrete programs, 1996 was full of major events. In the area of education, the Modernisation of Education Program concentrated on the develop- ment of a new curriculum and the creation of an information centre and network of experimental schools, all aimed at invigorating and renewing secondary education in Moldova. The program had a big impact not only on the teachers but also on the Education Ministry, and the impact should be bigger in the coming years. The program corresponds to a similar one initiated by the World Bank. Besides updating content and training teachers, the program introduced new methods of working with publishing houses, collecting funds for reprinting textbooks, and evaluating students. Perhaps most importantly, the program initial activities identified a qualified and enthusiastic group of specialists whose efforts will ensure the programs successful development in the future. With the involvement of the International Higher Education Support Program (HESP), university professors increased their involvement in traditional academic programs. The psychology and the history of culture departments at the state university began complex programs of modernization and reorganization, supported by the foundation. In the fall, HESP launced an important project called the invisible college, which entailed opening labs for political science, sociology, philosophy, and psychology. The project will surely influence the training of specialists in the above-mentioned disciplines while sowing the seeds of future growth in a more open world. In 1996, many NGOs in Moldova took definite steps forward. The number of organisations and the range of their interests increased, as did the professionalism of the projects and initiatives they launched. An important contribution of our foundation was its support for NGO programs and for the CONTACT Centre, an assistance centre for NGOs that is a joint project of the foundation and the TACIS program. For most NGOs, the Centre acted as a professional school and service agency, providing seminars and daily technical assistance and consultation, including editorial work on reports and catalogues. As for media, the foundation emphasised support for the local press and for the Independent Journalism Centre. Nevertheless, the last elections demonstrated that it is still too early to talk about an independent press in Moldova. The main problem is the dire economic situation of the media which, due to specific conditions, is more difficult in Moldova than in neighboring countries. Other important projects introduced by co-financing with regional projects were the creation of the Soros Centre for Contemporary Art, the automation of three libraries in Moldova, the extension of the Internet, and the launching of a regional program of books and translations. a c t i v i t y r e p o r t 9 6 5 s o r o s f o u n d a t i o n - m o l d o v a We can say that after five years of activity in Moldova, the foundation has entered a phase favoring development a phase in which interaction with society becomes more and more productive as society develops more agents to spread the idea of an open society and participate in the transformations taking place. Victor URSU Executive Director 6 a c t i v i t y r e p o r t 9 6 MODERNISATION OF EDUCATION DEBATE HEALTH EDUCATION YOUTH PROGRAM HIGH SCHOOL EXCHANGE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMS (SELP) OPEN GRANTS STEP BY STEP HESP FALANGA EAST EAST SCHOLARSHIPS INTERNET COMSOROS LIBRARY a c t i v i t y r e p o r t 9 6 7 s o r o s f o u n d a t i o n - m o l d o v a Educational Program in Moldova is targeting grades 1-9 for all basic subjects. The Ministry will have to work on Sciences for grades 10-12). The Textbook Authors Lab will offer access to information and the possibility to organise Material Development Work- shops to all potential textbook developers. Foreign specialists in modern principles and techniques of creating teaching materials will be invited to work with experienced authors, as well as with innovative, creative teachers, that can