Cinema for refugees, asylum seekers and local community at the TAC and CCR

The Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR), an implementing partner of the UNHCR Moldova, provides different support to refugees, asylum seekers and beneficiaries of humanitarian protection by promoting anti-discrimination and tolerance towards them, raising awareness, organizing cultural events, etc. One of the CCR’s objectives is to facilitate integration of the asylum seekers and refugees into the local society by raising awareness. Thus, on 29th of March 2014, the CCR presented two films about Chisinau - the capital of Moldova: "Chisinau in epoca moderna” and “Chisinau-capitala Europeana” to the residents of the Temporary Accommodation Centre (TAC). The purpose was to acquaint beneficiaries with the town they live in and introduce the most remarkable places of Chisinau.

         On 31^st of March 2014, the CCR received an audience of more than 90 children from the kindergarten, who enjoyed watching the American cartoons “Tom and Jerry” and the Russian cartoons “Nu Pagadi”.  The main idea was to familiarize little children with the community of refugees and asylum seekers, which subsequently will help to increase tolerance and anti-discrimination towards this vulnerable group of people.

International Day of Nowruz at the Charity Centre for Refugees in the Republic of Moldova in 2014

     One of the oldest Persian traditions that reached us from time immemorial is celebration of Nowruz-Persian New Year. In harmony with the rebirth of nature, Nowruz begins on the spring equinox, i.e. on 20th or 21st of March, when day and night are nearly equal. During this spring day, millions of people from Central Asia is preparing for the most important and most colourful event – the New Year celebration.

       To maintain the annual tradition of Nowruz celebration, the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR), an implementing partner of the UNHCR Moldova, organised a memorable and enjoyable event for its guests, refugees and asylum seekers. The participants were able to admire the traditional Nowruz table of seven S’s - Haft Sîn, to be a part of the entertainment programme and taste traditional Nowruz food.

       The celebration of Persian New Year took place on 21st of March at the Charity Centre for Refugees. On this occasion, in the entrance hall of the office, the CCR staff laid a table with seven elements - Haft Sîn and exhibited flags of the countries where Nowruz is widely celebrated. The New Year table included crushed spice of berries (sumac) – symbol of the sunrise, sweet dry fruits (senjed) which represent love and affection, vinegar (serkeh) – patience and age, apples (seeb) – health and beauty, garlic (sir) – good health. Furthermore, it was placed a mirror on the table to symbolise reflection of the past year, coins for prosperity in the New Year, flowers to symbolise spring and candles for light and happiness. 

The Scientific Conference – International Pedagogical Practice on “Migration and Consolidation of Intercultural Dialogue”

Concerned about the issues of global migration and motivated towards strengthening intercultural dialogue, on 1st of March young students from different Moldavian lyceums and gymnasiums met for a Scientific Conference – International Pedagogical Practice on “Migration and Consolidation of Intercultural Dialogue” at the Lyceum of Academy of Sciences Moldova.

The participants of the conference were students of high schools, also guests from Georgia, Turkey, Canada, Romania, Japan and Germany, representatives from the United Nations, local associations and organisations, including the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR), an implementing partner of UNHCR. The main topics discussed in the forum were negative and positive consequences of migration, intercultural dialogue and patriotism.

The Scientific Conference on “Migration and Consolidation of Intercultural Dialogue” took place in two parts. The first part of the conference was dedicated to a simulation of the United Nations meeting. Hence, students from the high schools imitated representatives from Moldova, Romania, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Germany, USA, Canada, Afghanistan, France, Russia, etc., with regard to the issues of migration, consolidation of intercultural dialogue and impact on society. Participants were asking questions and making conclusions about the ways of strengthening intercultural dialogue between people.

International Women’s Day for refugee and asylum seeker women

Since the early 20th century, International Women’s Day has been celebrated on 8th of March in many countries around the world. This day marks respect and appreciation towards women without regard to national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political divisions. In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR), an implementing partner of UNHCR, created a great party for asylum seeker and refugee women.

International Women’s Day is an annual tradition of the Charity Centre for Refugees. This year, it took place on 6th of March 2014, on the premises of the CCR office. At the beginning of the festive part, all the participating women and girls were greeted and congratulated by the CCR Director, Mr. Djavid Paknehad. Moreover, the Director of the Asylum and Integration Directorate, Mrs. Ecaterina Silvestru, the UNHCR Assistant Protection Officer, Mr. Marin Roman and Ave Copiii Project Coordinator, Mrs. Cristina Bedros also joined in congratulating refugee and asylum seeker women on this special day, wishing them to be loved and respected not only one day a year.

“Martisor” workshop for refugees and asylum seekers in Moldova

 “Martisor” is a traditional celebration of spring on the 1st of March, which takes place in Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria and other countries of the Southeast Europe. In Moldova and Romania this authentic feast is celebrated more than 2000 years. 

On this occasion, the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR) together with local and EVS volunteers organised “Martisor” workshops for refugees, asylum seekers and local people at its office. The event was attended by more than 10 participants. During the workshop, beneficiaries learned to make traditional “martisor” in the shape of little girl and boy, which later on different ethnic costumes were manufactured for them. The result was great, beneficiaries succeeded to make national costumes of Moldova, Afghanistan, India, Syria and other. Besides that, enjoying the process, refugees and asylum seekers created postcards with “martisor” which will be given to CCR guests and partners on the 1^st of March.