MOLDOVA STATE UNIVERSITY, A PILLAR OF INTEGRATION AND PROTECTION: MSU HOSTED THE HIGH-LEVEL EVENT DEDICATED TO WORLD REFUGEE DAY 2026
Moldova State University (MSU) reaffirmed its firm commitment to the community by hosting, in the Regina Maria Hall, the high-level event “We Are One Community. Refugee Inclusion in Moldova” on Friday, 19 June 2026.
Organized in the context of World Refugee Day and marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, the event brought together government officials, representatives of civil society, international organizations, and members of the academic community. MSU acted as co-organizer of this important forum, strengthening a strategic partnership with the General Inspectorate for Migration (GIM), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), HIAS, and Female Support Force.
A particular focus of the event was placed on the transition of the national response from emergency assistance to long-term inclusion, social cohesion, and access to national systems. In this regard, the academic community played an active role and had a visible voice in the discussions, demonstrating that inclusion requires not only economic resources, but also safety, trust, legal security, and psychosocial well-being.
During the panel discussion “Protection as a Pathway to Refugee Inclusion in Moldova”, MSU was represented by Ms Rodica Ciobanu, Head of the Department of Public Law. In her intervention, Ms Ciobanu highlighted the University’s substantial contribution to managing the refugee crisis, as well as the concrete actions undertaken to support refugees and facilitate their socio-cultural integration.
Emphasizing the role of the University as a central actor of democratic resilience, a vital bridge between academic autonomy and social responsibility, she underlined the ways in which MSU contributes to legal security and promotes the active participation of vulnerable groups in community life.
Ms Ciobanu also stressed the unique capacity of the academic environment to connect research, education, and public policy dialogue, elements that are indispensable for preparing future professionals who will interact and work directly with refugee communities.
The discussions reiterated that belonging is not automatic; rather, it is actively built through inclusion, trust, and equitable access to opportunities. The event provided an excellent platform for acknowledging the importance of strong, cross-sectoral partnerships. It clearly highlighted the need for close cooperation between the Government, international agencies, women-led organizations such as CASMED, Biaz Gul, and the Roma National Centre, and the academic community.
These joint efforts are essential to ensure that international support strengthens local capacities and systems, while also guaranteeing that no vulnerable person is left behind.
By hosting and actively engaging in this event, Moldova State University reaffirms its mission not only as a centre of educational excellence, but also as a driver of social cohesion and a defender of fundamental rights.
