On November 1, a public lecture “Administrative and territorial structure in the Republic of Moldova and the special legal status of the autonomy of Gagauz Yeri: problems and prospects”, held at the Autumn Academy 2019 “Decentralization, Autonomy and Minority Rights” by the Eurac Research Institute, was held at Comrat State University, Moldavian and Comrat State Universities.
The event moderated by A. Papțova, dr. conf. of KDU started with opening speeches of S. Zaharia, dr. conf., rector of Comrat State University, and S. Young, manager of CMI in Moldova.
Zaharia S., Dr., associate prof., Rector of Comrat State University with an opening speech
Young S., manager CMI (Initiative Management Crisis, Finland) în Moldova cu сuvântul de deschidere
Smochină A., Dr. Habil., prof. KDU with the lecture ”Problem of Administrative and Territorial and Territorial System in the Republic of Moldova: reality and prospects (constitutional and legal grounds)”
Cuijuclu E., lecturer of KDU with the lecture ”Gagauz Yeri autonomy regime: institutional framework and functioning”
Alber E., PhD, Senior Researcher, Institute of Comparative Federalism, Eurac Research (Italy) made comments based on the international experience of territorial autonomies in Europe
The topic of the lecture covered by Andrei Smochină, professor of Constitutional law, and the lecturer Elena Cuijuclu was focused on constitutional and legal basis as well as the issues of the administrative-territorial system of the Republic of Moldova, including those regarding the territorial autonomy, on the framework of institutional interaction of central and regional authorities, on the challenges of decentralization and issues related to functioning of the special legal status of Gagauz Yeri in the context of exercising the powers. The discussion continued by Elizabeth Alber, Senior Researcher, Institute for Comparative Federalism at Eurac Research, in the context of international experience through the example of other territorial autonomies in Europe.
The program held in 30 October – 4 November 2019, comprising academic lectures, group work, and a study visit to Comrat with opportunities for networking between participants to develop a new community of experts in decentralization and autonomy issues.
Autumn Academy 2019 “Decentralization, Autonomies and Minority Rights” is a five-day intensive and immersive academic program delivered by experts from Eurac Research Institute, Moldova State University and Comrat State University. During Moldova’s ongoing decentralization program, and in the run up to the 25th anniversary of the 1994 Law on the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia, this program offers 30 leading mid-career professionals and academics working on autonomy issues the opportunity to discover international best practice and mechanisms for autonomy governance, and to examine potential options for their application to centre-autonomy relations.
The Programme of Academy is dedicated to the following issues:
- Decentralization and conflict management (international and European standards, intra-State practices, domestic approaches);
- Territorial and non-territorial autonomy (concepts, legal frameworks, political practices);
- Institutional and procedural aspects of intergovernmental relations in multi-level systems (participation in decision-making, co-operation across governmental levels, dispute resolution, oversight), and
- Autonomy arrangements and minority rights in the policy fields of culture and education
The program is delivered by local experts from Moldova State University (http://usm.md) and Comrat State University (https://kdu.md), and by international experts from Eurac Research in Italy, leaders in the field of comparative federalism, autonomy issues and minority rights(www.eurac.edu/sfere and http://www.eurac.edu/imr).
The Autumn Academy 2019 “Decentralization, Autonomies, and Minority Rights” is delivered by the “Supporting Inclusive Dialogue and Strengthening Capacities for a Better Functioning Gagauz Autonomy in Moldova”, a three-year project bringing together legislators and interested parties from Chisinau, Comrat and across Moldova to find joint solutions to common issues related to the Gagauz autonomy. The project will run from 2019-2021, facilitated by CMI with support from Eurac Research and CONTACT NGO, and is funded by Sweden.
