The first edition of the Forum on the cooperation between civil society organisations from both banks of Nistru river in the area of human rights took place today in online format. The event brought together representatives of development partners, experts and civil society organizations from both banks of the Nistru river, as well as mass-media. The forum was organized within the One UN Joint Action "Cross-river support for human rights", funded by Sweden.

In its opening remarks, Simon Springett, United Nations Resident Coordinator for the Republic of Moldova, mentioned that the event is mainly a recognition of the successful cooperation between civil society organizations on both banks of the Nistru river which, despite all odds, has generated tangible results in the field of promoting human rights for the most vulnerable social groups.

"One of our main objectives was to support initiatives aimed at the realisation of the rights of men and women, girls and boys from both banks of the Nistru river by ensuring equal access to all public services and full participation in all areas of public life so that no-one is left behind. We have strengthened civil society organizations’ institutional and knowledge capacities and improved their access to community-based social services," said Simon Springett.

Four years ago, with the support of the One UN Joint Action "Cross-river support for human rights", the Platform for Sustainable Community Development was created. Currently the Platform brings together 38 civil society organizations from both banks of the Nistru river and represents the interests of people living with HIV, the Roma people, survivors of domestic violence, children, etc.

“Sweden is honoured to be able to contribute to this final scope of the intervention, which is to build a sustainable and resilient society where no one will be left behind; where the mechanisms to protect human rights will be functional and every person will be able to find support. The results achieved so far in the project are very valuable and we do hope the good examples will be embraced by communities and be multiplied,” said Adam Amberg, Head of Development Cooperation, Embassy of Sweden in Chisinau.

During the forum, six UN entities - UNDP, OHCHR, IOM, UNAIDS, UNICEF and UNODC - implementing the One UN Joint Action, in partnership with the CSOs from both banks of the Nistru river, presented the results of the implemented human rights projects. They also addressed the challenges, faced by vulnerable groups on the left bank of Nistru, how the situation has changed, as result of the implementation of these projects, how the capacity of the mass-media in the field of human rights has been increased and what are the key actions to be further undertaken.

"The platform is a basis for the effective interaction between active organizations and citizens in order to address the problems of vulnerable groups. Currently, the platform brings together 38 organizations and initiative groups from both banks of the Nistru river, as well as three working groups for social services development, legislation analysis and advocacy," said Veaceslav Palii, Chair of the Sustainable (Community) Development Platform.

"Thanks to the support of the UN and Sweden, the region is using for the first time the international methodology for early diagnosis for children suffering of autism and their families - ADOS-2. Until then, children with autism from the region could not be diagnosed or receive specialized care. Now, the methodology is applied, and by the end of 2021 at least 20 children on the left bank will be evaluated and assisted," mentioned Ludmila Borodina, Director of the OSORC centre.

At the end of the forum, 25 civil society organizations from both banks of Nistru were awarded, recognising their successful cooperation within the One UN Joint Action in the field of promotion and protection of human rights. The event culminated with a virtual exhibition of human rights drawings of children from the left bank of the Nistru river.