AUTUMN 2014

ESTABLISHING LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP

WITH US AND MOLDOVAN COUNTERPARTS

WITHIN REFUGEES AND STATELESSNESS FIELDS

Outbound Project Report

Irina GREITER, PFP Alumni

Law Center of Advocate, Projects Coordinator

&

Liza LIEBERMAN

Director, Advocacy & Outreach, HIAS

Republic of Moldova USA

April 28 May 4, 2015

I.

Introduction

Law Center of Advocates (LCA) is a public association, registered at the

Ministry of Justice of Republic of Moldova on February 24, 1997. LCAs

mission lies on the implementation of the projects and programs aimed at:

promotion of the Rule of Law; promotion of judicial independence;

promotion of human rights; endorsement and draft law expertise; legal

education program development; developing continuous training programs

and legal improvement trainings; legal assistance/counselling/representation

to all refugees, asylum seekers, beneficiaries of humanitarian protection and

stateless persons, naturalization procedure etc. LCA is the unique legal

implementing partner of UNHCR in Moldova; with UNHCRs support LCA had

settled and accomplished continuously along years the following objectives:

legal representation and interpretation services, legal publications and

training events aiming to promote refugee law and international standards of

refugee protection, provision of a course on laws and treaties related to

refugees and statelessness issues is taught at key universities from Moldova,

legal counseling on socio-economic rights aiming to facilitate integration of

all beneficiaries, who are under UNHCRs mandate.

This project is important for the development and enhanced capacities of

professional in activities related to issues concerning legal assistance to

special vulnerable group like asylum seekers, refugees and stateless

persons. Particularly as our organizations and governments struggle to

provide assistance to Syrian and Ukrainian refugees, this exchange

opportunity is immensely valuable to share best practices, advocacy

strategies, fundraising tactics, and community engagement initiatives.

LCAs website page: www.cda.md

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/CentruldeDrept

Project goals:

Goal 1. Familiarize US visitor with asylum and statelessness legal system in

Moldova and initiate Moldovan colleagues with US asylum system,

resettlement admissions program, legislative process, and advocacy

campaigns on U.S. and international policies.

Goal 2. Promote good practices between professionals, civil societies and

involved stakeholders.

Goal 3. Identify opportunities for continuous cooperation, exchange

programs and broader engagement in regional and international

coalitions/networks.

Project Objectives:

Objective 1 Provide background about the scope of various refugee crises

around the world, population needs and demographics, the international

communitys response, U.S. governments response, and how it affects local

service providers in Moldova.

Objective 2 Provide the breadth understanding of advocacy issues,

programmatic needs, and services provided by specialized organizations in

refugee field.

Objective 3 Promote refugee resettlement, including ways to work working

with employers, landlords, school councils, and faith leaders in US. Share

experiences and develop expertise in this arena.

Objective 4 Share best practices about advocacy tactics, community

engagement, communications, and fundraising activities.

Objective 5 Engage a broad array of communities in advocacy around

issues related to refugees, asylum seekers, and statelessness.

Project impact:

The projects impact ensured and continued stand for the protection of

refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons and assured that they are

treated with the dignity they deserve; provided support to local NGOs;

asylum seekers, refugees, stateless persons are tremendous assets to their

neighborhoods and societies, boosting local economies, and excelling at

entrepreneurship.

Site visits to UNHCR Office, open detention center, migration

accommodation center, border crossing point, and more deepened

understanding about the breadth of refugee advocacy issues in Moldova as

well as programming needs and services provided by local organizations like

LCA.

Public lecture at the Legal Clinic in the Area of Asylum and Statelessness in

Chisinau, entitled as Syrian refugee crisis helped to elevate public

awareness about the millions of Syrians who have been displaced by conflict

in the region. The event was an important opportunity for LCA to reach out

future young specialist in law and NGOs colleagues. Speakers provided

background information about the scope of the Syrian refugee crisis,

population needs and demographics, international communitys response,

U.S. governments response, and how it affects local service providers in

Moldova like LCA.

Project details:

Day Time and Activity Additional information/Participants/Comments

April 28/Tuesday

12.00 PM Arriving to International Airport Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Meeting Liza Lieberman at the airport/ person in charge: Irina Greiter

1.00 PM Arriving home/Host family

Host family: 2014 PFP fellow: Irina Greiter

2.00 PM Visit to US Embassy! Meeting the Ambassador

Liza Lieberman Irina Greiter

3.00 PM - 4.00 Lunch

Liza Lieberman Irina Greiter

4.00 7.00 PM Free time Liza Lieberman

07.00 PM Dinner

Downtown restaurant

April 29/Wednesday 09.30 - 10.45 AM Arriving to the Law Center of Advocates Office

Presenting LCAs team/activities

11.00 11.40 Courtesy visit to American Councils Office (confirmed) Meeting with Daniela Munca-Aftenev, David Jesse

Liza Lieberman, HIAS Irina Greiter, LCA

12.00 1.00 PM - Lunch

Liza Lieberman and LCAs team

1.30 2.30 PM Visit to Migration Accommodation Center

Liza Lieberman, HIAS Irina Greiter, LCA Mihail Gorincioi, LCA (legal counsellor/border monitor)

2.30 3.30 PM Visit to Temporary Accommodation Center

Liza Lieberman, HIAS Irina Greiter, LCA Mihail Gorincioi, LCA

3.30 5.00 PM Courtesy visit to NGO Charity Center for Refugees, NGO AVE Copiii and UN Agency for Refugees (UNHCR), meeting with Protection Officer!

Liza Lieberman, HIAS Irina Greiter, LCA

6.00 PM Dinner

Liza Lieberman Irina Greiter

7.00 PM Free time Sightseeing tour/Chisinau

April 30/Thursday 09.00 12.00 PM - Border Monitoring

Liza Lieberman, HIAS Irina Greiter, LCA Mihail Gorincioi, LCA

12.15 1.00 PM - Lunch Liza Lieberman, HIAS Irina Greiter, LCA Mihail Gorincioi, LCA

1.30 3.00 PM Lecture at the Legal Clinic in the Area of Asylum and Statelessness (LCAS) Lecture is going to be conducted by Liza and Irina!

Liza Lieberman, HIAS Irina Greiter, LCA Natalia Postaru, LCA Mihail Gorincioi, LCA Students, LCAS

3.15 3.45 PM Meeting with Alexei Barbaneagra, Counselor for Defense and National Security and Secretary of the Supreme Security Council Office of the President of the Republic of Moldova

Liza Lieberman, HIAS Irina Greiter, LCA

4.00 6.00 PM Free time

6.15 7.00 PM - Lunch Liza Lieberman Irina Greiter

May 1st / Friday (Holiday)

Attending Moldavian wedding

Liza Lieberman, Irina Greiter

May 2nd / Saturday Sightseeing tours/wine cellars Free time

Liza Lieberman, Irina Greiter

May 3rd / Sunday Sightseeing tours Free time Packing luggage

Liza Lieberman, Irina Greiter

May 4/ Monday 7.20 AM - Departure Liza Lieberman, Irina Greiter

April 28/Tuesday:

Liza Lieberman was met at the International Airport Chisinau by PFP alumni

2014, Irina Greiter at 12.00 and no flight delay was registered.

It was a special day for Liza Lieberman!

Liza was visiting Republic of Moldova for the first time, she was feeling

adventurous, eager to taste Moldovan cuisine, discover new places, people,

and things and share the best of her knowledge to those people who are

operating in the same field of activity in Moldova.

This day was full with positive mood, smiles, meeting a part of the Law

Center of Advocates team Head of LCA, Oleg Palii, welcome discussions

and preparing for the meeting with the US Ambassador.

The HIAS Board Members introduced Liza to the U.S. Ambassador in

Moldova, James D. Pettit. It was great to hear about his priorities for his

posting, and also telling to Ambassador more about LCAs work with

refugees and stateless people in Moldova. Ambassador recently arrived in

Chisinau, where his prior post was in Ukraine, so he was well informed about

the region.

Irina and Liza at the premises of the US Embassy US Embassy in Moldova

April 29/Wednesday

*The 2nd day in Moldova started with a great breakfast

and

meeting whole team of the Law Center of Advocates.

Tackled topics: Professional Fellows Program, sharing Irinas experience in

Washington DC, LCA and HIASs advocacy, programs implemented by both

organizations, HIAS policy on regional and international level, establishing

long standing relationship etc.

*Courtesy visit to American Councils Office:

Liza Lieberman met Daniela Munca Aftenev, Professional Fellows Program

Officer, and David Jesse, Country Director.

Discussions were conducted in a cozy ambiance with a focus on: Irinas

internship in DC, Lizas agenda in Moldova, HIAS work on international level,

American Councils programs, sharing impressions regarding performed visit

to US Ambassador in Moldova, ways of improving Professional Fellows

Program.

* Visit to Migration Accommodation Center (MAC)

Migration Accommodation Center is closed center for aliens. Individuals are

released only through courts decision. MAC is able to accommodate 200

persons. On permanent basis and upon request, LCA provides pro bono legal

counselling with UNHCR support.

Liza had a chance to find out about MACs policy, internal rules and living

conditions of placed aliens.

*Courtesy visit to NGO Charity Center for Refugees, NGO AVE Copiii

NGO Charity Center for Refugees (CCR, cultural implementing partner of

UNHCR) was represented by:

Djavid Pakhnehad, Head of CCR

Inga Roman, Project Assistant, CCR

John Djongue, Assistant, CCR

NGO AVE Copiii was represented (social implementing partner of UNHCR)

by:

Cristina Berdos, Project Coordinator, AVE Copiii

Angelica Russu, Social Counselor, AVE Copiii

Veronica Dragan, Social Assistant, AVE Copiii

This meeting was hosted by Charity Center for Refugees.

Liza got acknowledge with projects and implemented activities by other

partners of the United Nations Agency for Refugees (UNHCR Moldova) such

as:

1. Charity Center for Refugees is focusing on:

*Community Development Services and Vocational Training to persons

of concern (PoCs)

*Cultural, moral and material assistance to refugees and asylum

seekers in the Republic of Moldova

*Facilitation for the integration into Moldovan society

*Tolerance-building events promoting cultural diversity and

understanding between PoCs and locals

*Self-confidence building through handicrafts workshops and sport

tournaments with the participation of the host community

*Facilitating educational efforts (tertiary education, Romanian

language courses, vocational training) etc.

2. NGO AVE Copiii is covering:

*Improvement of beneficiaries health status (access to primary health

care services, access to essential drugs, including access to

psychological and psycho-therapeutically assistance)

*Ensuring the access to education (enrollment to kindergartens,

primary and secondary schools)

*Provision of food and hygienic items for vulnerable beneficiaries

*Contribution/ monitoring the integration and self-reliance of

beneficiaries

*Social counseling and assistance to beneficiaries, including home

visits, assessments, provision of housing assistance (in cooperation

with Refugee Directorate, Bureau for Migration and Asylum)

Charity Center for Refugees (handicrafts):

*Meeting with Asst. Protection Officer, UNHCR Moldova Serghei

Gaina

Liza Lieberman and Serghei Gaina discussed worldwide crisis around the

world, undertaken protection policies by UNHCR and HIAS on national and

international level, advocacy, statistics etc.

Liza Lieberman, HIAS & Serghei Gaina, UNHCR Moldova

April 30/Thursday

* Border Monitoring activity Leuseni border crossing point

(neighboring point with Romania)

LCAs projects coordinator, Irina Greiter and LCAs border monitor, Mihail

Gorincioi along with American expert in refugee field, Liza Lieberman paid a

courtesy visit to border crossing point Leuseni.

Delegation was warmly greeted by the head of border crossing point on that

day and provided a tour within controlled territory by Moldavian authorities.

*Public lecture at the Legal Clinic in the Area of Asylum and

Statelessness (LCAS) for students from Law Departments and local

NGOs

Public lecture was opened by Irina Greiter, LCAs projects coordinator, and

with a brief summary about Professional Fellows Program (PFP): PFP

program profile and overview, program results, PFP alumni, applying for

PFP, selection etc.

Liza Lieberman evolved with presentation entitled Overview of HIAS

around the world and comprised the following aspects:

Background on HIAS

U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

International Refugee Crises

HIAS Global Programs: Legal

HIAS Global Programs: Psychosocial

HIAS Global Programs: Livelihoods

Advocacy

*Meeting with Alexei Barbaneagra, Counselor for Defense and

National Security and Secretary of the Supreme Security Council

Office of the President of the Republic of Moldova

Alexei Barbaneagra is well known in Moldova as outstanding lawyer in

criminal field and for his wide background experience in asylum field. Mr.

Barbaneagra used to conduct optional course Refugee Law at Free

International University of Moldova for a couple of years; former Head of the

Law Center of Advocates etc.

Meeting was held at LCAs premises and highlighted the following aspects:

LCAs cooperation with different organizations on the national level and

international

LCAs experience in drafting legal expertise

Purpose of Lizas visit in Moldova

HIAS overview

May 1st / Friday (Holiday)

*Attending Moldavian wedding

A typical wedding celebration in Moldova can last a good 12 to 14 hours, and

has many various components. The legal ceremony is separate from the

religious ceremony, and a couple must register with the village Primaria. A

small ceremony takes place there when the bride and groom sign the

marriage certificate and become legally married. The couple may have a

religious ceremony, as well, which is by and for the church only.

The real festivities start with the dinner and party. A Moldovan masa or

celebration meal follows a usually pattern, no matter what the occasion.

Long tables are set with so much food there usually isnt enough room for

guests plates. Bowls and plates of salads, meat, cold cuts, meat, bread,

vegetables, fish and hot meals will be placed about every two feet, more or

less down the center of the table.

The eating, drinking and dancing will continue long past the wee hours.

Getting ready for the wedding READY

TATIANA AND SERGHEIS WEDDING

May 2nd / Saturday and May 3rd / Sunday

*Sightseeing tour through the Chisinau, visiting Vatra Ethno

Cultural Festival, tasting national cuisine

May 4/ Monday - 7.20 AM Departure

Law Center of Advocates is extending gratitude to all stakeholders involved

in implementation of this project!

Project was sponsored by the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and

administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS.