Project 1: Refugee Protection System in Crisis Conditions: Challenges and Perspectives for the Republic of Moldova. Project Team: Igor Yanak — Doctor of Law, USC lecturer, lawyer, Chairman of the public organization “Choice and Alternative for Gagauzia”; Serghei Roshka — PhD student in Political Science (UNSS, Bulgaria), USC graduate; Keleș Nicolai — Human Rights Lawyer. Context: Since February 2022, with the start of the war in Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova has faced the largest migration challenge in its modern history, receiving tens of thousands of refugees in extremely vulnerable situations. Despite existing legislation on international protection (including Law No. 270/2008 and provisions on temporary protection), these mechanisms were largely unused in practice before the crisis. Project Objective: A comprehensive study of the functioning of the refugee protection system in crisis conditions caused by the war in neighboring Ukraine, analyzing the effectiveness of existing mechanisms, identifying institutional and normative gaps, and developing practical recommendations to enhance the system's resilience and humanity. Tasks: Analyze the effectiveness of existing refugee protection mechanisms; identify institutional and normative gaps; develop recommendations to increase resilience and humanity; prepare expert publications and analytical materials. Expected Results: Scientific-analytical report on the functioning of the international and temporary protection system; identification of weaknesses in legislation and institutional coordination; recommendations for authorities, international organizations, and NGOs; national and international publications contributing to the academic and expert dialogue on migration and refugee protection
Project 2: “Strengthening Intercultural Dialogue and Inclusion in the University Environment of Southern Moldova”. Project Team: Alla Levitskaia — Project Leader, Doctor Habilitat, Professor at USC Economics Department, Director of the Institute for Regional Economic Development; Liudmila Shadurska — Local Expert in Intercultural Integration, University Lecturer, PhD, B.P. Hasdeu State University, Cahul; Natalia Shchukina — Local Expert in Intercultural Integration, University Lecturer, Doctor Habilitat, USC; Alla Kebak — Legal Expert on Refugee Affairs, Cahul Community Center; Anastasia Kirila — Director, Cahul Community Center; Valentina Caledji — Comrat Community Center. Project Objective: Study the integration of refugee students and stateless persons into the university environment, identify difficulties and barriers, and develop initiatives and activities to create a tolerant, open, and culturally sensitive educational environment. Expected Results: Development of practical recommendations and measures for universities in southern Moldova; creation of a friendly and inclusive educational environment; active engagement of students, teachers, and academic community representatives in promoting inclusion. The projects are implemented in the Republic of Moldova by Centrul Drept al Avocaților and funded by the Sergio Vieira de Mello Academic Chair (SVMAC). ? We invite students, lecturers, and academic community representatives to actively participate and contribute to the development of a more inclusive educational environment.
