Summer Academy on Minority Rights 2025: young leaders learn to defend their rights and build dialogue

From August 5 to 7, the “Codru” tourist complex hosted the Summer Academy on Minority Rights 2025 — an educational initiative of the Center for Civic Initiatives for National Minorities (ICPMN), implemented with the support of the Government of the Czech Republic through the TRANSITION program. This year, the Academy brought together 20 participants from Moldova’s national, ethnic, and linguistic minorities, offering them an intensive program that combined training sessions, practical activities, and intercultural exchange.

Three days of intensive work
The Academy opened with welcome speeches from ICPMN Executive Director Mihail Peicov and representatives of the diplomatic corps. On the very first day, participants attended introductory sessions and a training on human rights and minority rights delivered by expert Aina Idrisova. In the evening, they watched a BBC documentary on human rights, which served as a starting point for subsequent discussions.

The second day focused on developing practical skills. Marina Țîbîrnă, Project Manager at IPIS Moldova, conducted a training on project writing and management, while Valentina Malencu delivered a session on political participation and local community development. The day concluded with a presentation by Tudor Arnaut, Secretary General of the National Youth Council of Moldova, on countering disinformation in the TikTok era.

The Ethnocultural Evening was one of the Academy’s most memorable moments. Participants showcased their culture through traditional costumes, national dishes, music, and symbols. This evening was not just a celebration but also a platform for fostering mutual understanding between representatives of different ethnic groups.

From training to action
The final day was dedicated to developing participants’ own initiatives. Working in small groups, they prepared projects that will later be implemented in their regions with ICPMN support. The topics of these initiatives ranged from promoting human rights to strengthening dialogue between local authorities and national minorities.

Results and prospects
According to the organizers, the Academy helps increase legal literacy, develop leadership skills, and build an active civil society among young people from minorities. It also creates a sustainable network of future leaders who can collaborate and promote the values of inclusion and democracy.

The Summer Academy on Minority Rights is not just an educational project but also a tool for integrating national minorities into the public life of the country. It brings young people together, equips them with the knowledge and skills for meaningful participation in decision-making, and lays the groundwork for lasting change in Moldovan society.