What is IDC on NATO

9 February 2015

What is IDC on NATO

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The Information and Documentation Center on NATO in Moldova is a noncommercial, autonomous organization set up in 2006 as a part of the 2006-2009 Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP) between Moldova and NATO. The IDC on NATO’s mission is to promote the Euro-Atlantic values and principles in Moldova.

OBJECTIVES
– Advocate for a closer cooperation with NATO
– Support the governmental institutions in the security sector reform
– Fostering the strategic communication within the security and defense sectors
– Raise awareness on security and defense issues
– Inform the society about the multiple aspects of security
– Advance the Women, Peace and Security Agenda

AREA OF ENGAGEMENT
Analysis. IDC on NATO produces studies, assessments, forecasts, surveys and analytical reports in the field of national security and defense, international relations and regional security.
Education. We organize lectures and project-specific trainings on NATO’s role in global security; the Alliance’s partnership with Moldova; Strategic Communication; and international security.
Information. The Center organizes conferences, seminars, debates, and public lectures to inform the general public on security and defense related matters.

HIGHLIGHTS
– 35+ implemented projects
– 870+ public diplomacy events
– 12,000+ beneficiaries
– 16,000+ printed and distributed materials on NATO, NATO programs, and the partnership with Moldova

INITIATIVES WE ARE PROUD OF
Moldova’s National Implementation Plan of the UN SCR 1325. IDC on NATO is the national coordinator on the behalf of the civil society for SCR 1325 implementation. The project resulted in adoption at the Government level of the first National Implementation Program of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security for 2018-2021 in the Republic of Moldova.
NATO Security School. Since 2008, IDC on NATO organizes NATO Security Schools that aim to develop the security culture of youth through advocating the NATO’s role in national and international security matters.
NATO Days. Since 2012, IDC on NATO organizes a series of events that aim to foster the information of the general public on the relationship between Moldova and NATO, and raise the awareness on security issues that our country is facing.
Promoting European and Euro-Atlantic values in rural areas through local opinion formers. Beneficiaries from regional communities of Moldova are learning from the first sources about the EU and NATO, and their cooperation our country. In the first editions, the target group travelled to Belgium where they visited the EU and NATO institutions.
Strengthening journalists’ knowledge on Moldova-NATO partnership. IDC on NATO aims to train journalists on security and defense topics. Our projects deepen the media’s understanding of the security issues that Moldova is facing, the partnership between NATO and Moldova, and the challenges this cooperation is trying to address.

DONORS
Our donors are NATO, NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme, NATO Liaison Office in the Republic of Moldova, Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, the Embassies of the United States, Poland, Romania, Lithuania and Estonia.

PARTNERS
Our partners are the Parliamentary Committees, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Ministry of Defense; Bureau of Reintegration, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Centre for Cyber Security; National Anticorruption Center, Security and Intelligence Service, Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, Center for Conflict Prevention and Early Warning from Romania, UN Women Moldova, OSCE Mission to Moldova, UNDP, DCAF, Institute for Public Policy, Pro-Marshall Centre from Moldova, Foreign Policy Association, IMAS, IDIS Viitorul, Institute for European Policies and Reforms, Association of Independent Press, Student National Anticorruption Center, Institute for Strategic Studies, European Institute of Political Studies in Moldova, Institute for Legal, Political and Sociological Research, Moldova State University, Armed Forces Military Academy “Alexandru cel Bun”, Free International University, Academy of Public Administration, “Alecu Russo” State University from Balti, “B. P. Hasdeu” University from Cahul, Comrat State University, Taraclia State University, “Perspectiva INT” University.

CID NATO Team

Ion Tăbârță, Executive Director (ion.tabarta@infocenter.md)
Sofia Diaconu, Program Coordinator (diaconu.sofia@infocenter.md)
Diana Coșcodan, Accountant (info@infocenter.md)
Natalia Albu, Associate Expert
Svetlana Cebotari, Associate Expert
Sanda Sandu, Associate Expert

Statute IDC on NATO -1

This report contains information on the recent activities the Information and Documentation Centre on NATO has conducted so far in 2014, the recently implemented projects, as well as information regarding the currently ongoing projects. We will also list our public diplomacy events such as public lectures, photo exhibitions, as well as the IDC on NATO team’s participation in radio and TV shows.

Public Diplomacy activities of the IDC on NATO in 2014

1)            Public lecture for the MSU students on February 13th: NATO’s global role and IDC’s on NATO Centre in Moldova.

2)            Between the 18th and 20th of February 2014, the IDC on NATO has organized a number of public lectures for students from the State University of Moldova and the Institute of International Relations of the Republic of Moldova. The organized events aimed to familiarize young people with the North Atlantic Alliance mechanisms, structures and with NATO’s role around the world.

3)            Public lesson for the MSU students on the 14th of March organized by the IDC, held by dr. Iulian Chifu. Topic: Security perspectives 10 years after biggest NATO enlargement.

4) The online contest Expert for one day (20-27 March) launched by the IDC on NATO with the aim of popularizing the main achievement of the R.M.-NATO 20 years cooperation

5)            Public lecture on the 25th of March attended by the IRIM, MSU, and ULIM student on the topic Moldova’s Relations w/ NATO 20 years after the signing of the PfP Programme.

6)            Security perspectives 10 years after biggest NATO enlargement. Public lecture organized by the IDC, held by H.E. Violeta Motulaite (ambassador of Lithuania) and Georgi Stefanov (embassy of Bulgaria).

7)            20 years of Moldova-NATO Partnership, public lecture held by the IDC . The event brought together public officials and post-graduate researchers in the national security field.

8)            The IDC participated at the NATO Partnerships. Meeting New Challenges Together. Eastern Europe and Caucasian-Caspian Dimension conference in Invano-Frankivs, Ukraine, 3-5 April.

9)            Public Lecture held by Ivan Ene (representative of MOD at NATO) at the IDC on NATO.

10)         Participation in two TV show and twelve radio shows during this period.

NATO Summit in Wales, 4th – 5th of September, 2014

The IDC on NATO has been constantly providing information regarding the NATO Wales Summit. The development of events before, during, and after the summit has been reflected on the page of our website dedicated to monitoring the NATO Wales Summit:

IDC on NATO Academic Journal,  nr.18

This volume is the eighteenth edition of the “Academic Journal” published by the Information and Documentation Centre on NATO. The materials collected in this edition refer to Moldova’s security options in the context of the renewed security challenges in the region.

The published texts can be classified into two distinct categories. The first one is concerning the materials were presented during the “NATO’s partnerships. Achievements and Perspectives” Conference organized during the NATO week in Moldova. During that event, the participants discussed the issue of NATO’s partnerships relevance when in the context of the new security challenges in Europe, focusing mainly on the issue of Moldova’s relations with NATO and on the need to deepen the cooperation between the two partners under the Partnership for Peace Programme. On this occasion multiple speeches have been given, including that of Alexander Vershbow – Deputy Secretary General of NATO, H.E. Mr Petar Valov – Ambassador of Bulgaria, H. E. Ms Ingrid Tersman – Ambassador of Sweden, H. E. Mr Mihai Gribincea – Ambassador to Belgium and Head of Mission of the Republic of Moldova to NATO, Mr Alexander Cimbriciuc – Chairman of the Moldovan Parliamentary Delegation to the NATO PA, etc. Their speeches have been published in the first part of the edition.

The volume can be at the IDC on NATO office, or online using the following link: http://infocenter.md/cgblog/687/Editia-nr-18-a-Jurnalului-Academic-editat-de-CID-NATO

The second part of the journal comprises a number of relevant articles that deal with some of the current issues affecting the security in Europe, or related to threats and vulnerabilities faced by Moldova in the light of the new challenges to regional security. The Ukrainian Crisis, Moldova’s neutrality, the energy and the cyber security are just a few topics tackled by the local and foreign experts. This edition comprises texts both in Romanian and English.

Projects implemented by the IDC on NATO

NATO Week in Moldova

May-July 2014

The NATO Week comprised a series of events aimed to broaden and deepen the understanding of the Moldovan population with regards to NATO’s activities and values, as well as NATO-Moldova relations in particular.

The 2014 edition is the third one and also a milestone in the entire activity of the IDC on NATO, as it dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the PfP Programme in Moldova.

This year’s edition will focus on reaching more than 400 direct stakeholder sand more than 1000 stakeholders via new media tools, TV and radio broadcasts, both in cities and rural areas, as well as on publishing and distributing more than 600 informational booklets, notebooks and journals.

May 13th Public lecture at the State University of Moldova on the topic “20 years of Partnership for Peace: achievements and perspectives” held by H.E., Mr. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, Deputy Secretary General of NATO.

May 13th Round table on the topic “The crisis in Ukraine and its impact on NATO Partnerships” with the participation of local and foreign experts, civil society and academia representatives.

May 16th The release of a book published by the Ministry of Defense on the topic of Moldova-NATO relations within the context of the Partnership for Peace programme. On the same day the photo exhibition “20 Years of NATO PfP Programme” took place in partnership with the MoD and NATO Contact Point Embassy in Moldova; the exhibition depicted the achievements Moldova has reached due to its collaboration with NATO.

May 16th The public Debate on the topic “Moldova and NATO: a win-win relation.” was an event which aimed to generate discussions, inform the population about the NATO-Moldova relations and develop the critical analysis among citizens with regards to Moldova`s input in its partnership with NATO. The public debate was organized in mixed teams of experts and professional debaters and will used a mix of BP debate format and Chatham House rules.

Workshop: Integrity in personnel management (22nd of may)

The event brought together representatives of state institutions, ambassadors accredited in Chisinau , servicemen, as well as Moldovan and foreign experts . Among them were present Philipp Flury – DCAF Director, and the Director of the Division for Political Affairs and Security Policy – Alberto Bin, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration.

The workshop discussed the problems and modern challenges to the management of the defense sphere, the phenomenon of corruption in the armed forces, strengthening integrity through education.

The Perception on NATO in the Republic of Moldova. Between myth and reality – booklet issued by the IDC on NATO

Understanding NATO: Media Campaign

“Understanding NATO: Media Campaign” project comprised a series of public events focusing on a strong media outreach, as well as on setting up a number of radio broadcasts and TV shows as well as distribution of publications in urban and rural areas. Our main objectives were to provide first-hand information about NATO and Moldova-NATO relations to national and local journalists, as well as to revive the already established IDC on NATO information points in the cities of Cahul and Balti. In order to achieve the above mentioned goals we organized a series of events, and published a number of information materials that were distributed in regions throughout the project implementation period.

Activities:

  • On the 15th of May the IDC on NATO organized the first radio talk show planned within the project. The broadcast was hosted by Radio “Vocea Basarabiei”. The main topic of conversation between Vasile Croitoru, a local expert, and Liliana Barabarosie – the radio host, were the relations between the Republic of Moldova and NATO in the context of the Ukrainian crisis.
  • On May 25th, the executive director of the IDC on NATO, Elena Mârzac participated at the TV-show “Euro-Dictionary”.
  • On the 25th of June the Programme Director of the IDC on NATO, Patricia Zghibarta took part in the Radio Show “Room for dialogue” together with Alexandru Cimbriciuc – the president of the Parliamentary Delegation of the Republic of Moldova at NATO, as well as Vice-president of the Committee for national security, defense and public order.
  • On 18th of July, Elena Marzac and Patricia Zghibarta, together with Sanda Sandu a volunteer at the IDC, took part at 7 PM o’clock edition of the “Room for dialogue” radio talk show of the National Tele-Radio Company of Moldova.
  • On the 15th of August Patricia Zghibarta, program manager at

IDC on NATO, and Alla Rosca, a local security expert took part in the radio talk show “What is NATO? The relations between the Republic of Moldova and NATO during the last 20 years”. The talk show was hosted by Radio “Plai”..

On the 18th of August, two members of the IDC on NATO team – Elena Marzac and Patricia Zghibarta, together with Viorel Cibotaru – the Director of the European Institute for Public Polices, took part in the radio talk show “What is NATO: The relations between NATO and the Republic of Moldova” at Radio Orhei.

On the 27 of August Mihai Turcanu, Programme Coordinator of the IDC on NATOat anotheredition of the radio broadcast “Room for dialogue” of the National “Tele-Radio Moldova” Company. He was joined by a local expert – Vasile Croitoru as well as by the radio host – Anatol Caciuc.
Security for You(th) Project

September – November 2014

 

During the months of September-November, the IDC on NATO has implemented the “Security for Yo(th)” project. Under this project a number of activities were designed and executed:

  • We held a number of 20 lessons at lyceums and universities in Moldova. These lectures were held by the IDC on NATO team, local experts, academics from Moldova, Ukraine and Romania. Thre presentation took place in various educational istitutions from Chisinau, Balti, Cahul, Orhei, Ialoveni, etc.
  • We have organized two film projections on security, and NATO-related topics. The events were designed for our local students and were attended by media representatives, local experts and ambassadors from Allied countries.

The National Inter-Universitary Conference “Moldova’s National Security in the wake of recent regional challenges ”.

  • The IDC on NATO team has organized a number of four photo ehibitions on the topic “The perception of NATO in the Republic of Moldova: between myth and reality” . The exhibitions were held in the center of the capital city of Chisinau.
  • The culmination of this project was the National Inter-Universitary Conference “Moldova’s National Security in the wake of recent regional challenges ”. We have invited two professors from Ukraine – Yuri Temirov of National University of Donetk, and Radu Sebastian Ungureanu – of SNSPA, Bucharest as speakers for this conference. The materials of this conference will be published in a special compendium.

Through this project we have reached a wide visibility and a significant impact by encouraging media reports as well as advertising through social media websites. The project’s activities ensured a better understanding regarding the current security issues among young Moldovans, while also acting as a tool in order to enhance the dialogue and constructive debate between young people on the necessity of cooperation between Moldova and NATO. Most important, we delivered a clear and easy to understand message to the new generation of Moldovans about the need of dialogue and cooperation in a fast-changing world marked by vulnerabilities, growing risks and challenges to the international security; we sought to bring to the attention of our society the fact that security matters and that the young people have to play a vital role in the future of our country’s security.

Moldovan opinion formers visit at the NATO HQ in Brussels

On November 20th, the team of the Information and Documentation Center on NATO made a working visit at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. On this occasion, CID NATO team was accompanied by several representatives of civil society, teachers, journalists and government officials. Among the latter were Sergei Tulus – professor at the University of Taraclia, Mihai Muntean – professor at the University of Comrat, Natalia Albu – professor at the “Alexandru cel Bun” Military Academy, Sanda Sandu – Secretary General of ELSA, Tatiana Castrasan – editor and author of “Boluguvern”, Aliona Caprovscaia – journalist from Taraclia, Rita Croitoru – Publika TV journalist, Oleg Cristal – Publika TV editor, Anatol Caciuc – “Teleradio Moldova” journalist, and Mr Vitali Rusu and Vitali Stoian – representatives of the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Defence.

IDC’s on NATO team, media representatives, students and academics at the NATO HQ in Brussels

During  this  one-day  visit,  CID  NATO  team,  civil  society  representatives  and government officials took part in several discussions in an informal environment where they have discussed issues such as cooperation between Moldova and NATO and new aspects of this collaboration, the new policy of the alliance after the Wales Summit, situation in Ukraine, etc. The discussion was attended by several NATO officers including Despina AFENTOULI – Officer of programs for Moldova, Public Diplomacy Division, Krisztian MESZAROS – Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, Simone de Manso – Press Officer, Public Diplomacy Division, James Mackey – Head of Euro-Atlantic Integration and Partnerships Department, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, Radoslava Stefanova – Head Department of Russia and Ukraine Relations, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, Mihai Carp – Operations Division and E. S. Michael Gribincea – Moldovan Ambassador to NATO. The working visit to NATO Headquarters was conducted during a three days visit by CID NATO team and representatives of civil society and media in Brussels.

                                     Information and Documentation Centre on NATO

PRESENTATION

Information and Documentation Centre on NATO in Moldova (IDC on NATO) is a noncommercial, autonomous organization set up on September 15, 2006, in a form of private institution, to promote the Euro-Atlantic values and principles, to support cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the North Atlantic Alliance and to implement the objectives and activities established by the Republic of Moldova – NATO cooperation tools. IDC on NATO supports the implementation of Individual Partnership Action Plan Republic of Moldova-NATO (IPAP).

MISSION

IDC on NATO has as a main goal the promotion of Euro-Atlantic values and principles in the Republic of Moldova and the development of its cooperation with NATO.

OBJECTIVES

To promote Euro-Atlantic values and standards in Republic of Moldova;

To acquaint citizens concerning the projects programs and cooperation mechanisms between Republic of Moldova and NATO;

To support civil society initiatives in Moldova within the Euro-Atlantic framework and to develop cooperation with international organizations;

To promote democratic reforms and market economy principles in Moldova;

To adjust the process of reform to democratic values and standards promoted by European and Euro-Atlantic structures.

FIELDS OF ACTIVITY

INFORMATION: Informing the population about NATO activities during conferences, seminars, debates, press releases, TV programs, radio broadcasts, and exhibitions.

EDUCATION: Organizing lectures and courses on the following topics: NATO values, principles, objectives, role, structure, missions, transformation process, cooperation with the European countries; the strategic concept of theNorth-Atlantic Alliance; Moldova-NATO cooperation tools; IPAP implementation (Individual

Partnership Actions Plan Moldova – NATO); regional and international security; development abilities in the field of foreign languages and informational technologies.

ANALYSIS AND INVESTIGATIONS: studies, assessments, analysis, forecasts, polls, statistics and analytical reports in the field of international relations, security studies, defense policies, includingNATO-Moldova partnership.

PARTNERS

NATO member and partner states countries; Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration; Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Internal Affairs; Centre for Cyber Security; Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defence and Public Order;

Military Academy “Alexandru cel Bun”; Free International University, International Relations Institute; Moldova State University; “Alecu Russo” State University (Balti), “B. P. Hasdeu” University (Cahul); Academy of Public Adminsitration, Comrat State University, Taraclia State University, “Perspectiva INT” University.

Radio Moldova 1, Publika TV, Centre for Journalistic Investigations, Bloguvern, Radio Free Europe, deschide.md, Jurnal TV, Unimedia, TVR International, Adevarul Moldova.

Institute for Public Policy, Pro-Marshall Centre,

IDC on NATO Projects in 2014

NATO Week in Moldova, 2014: A number of public events were held, such as the International Conference “20 years of Partnership for Peace: Achievements and Future Perspectives” with the participation of H.E., Mr. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, Deputy Secretary General of NATO, Valeriu Chiveri, government figures, ambassadors as well as local and international experts. A photo exhibition entitled “20 Years of NATO PfP Programme” took place in partnership with the MoD and NATO Contact Point Embassy in Moldova.

Strengthening Parliamentary Capacities in the area of security and defence sector oversight:

Project developed and implemented in order to strengthen the role and the capacities of the representatives of the Committee for National Security, Defence and Public Order of the Moldovan Parliament in overseeing the security sector through cooperation and exchange of best practices with the National Defence Commission of Estonia. The project was sponsored by the Estonian government funds for international cooperation and humanitarian aid.

Understanding NATO (Media Campaign): The project focused on raising awareness on the security issues currently faced by the Republic of Moldova, and on the way Moldova-NATO partnership could address these challenges. The project also encouraged media representatives from other areas than Chisinau to reflect more often and in a more professional way NATO and security- related topics. The project targeted more than 10.000 beneficiaries (through radio, TV, workshops, etc.), while strengthening and expanding the network the IDC on NATO throughout the country’s regions.

Security for You(th): This project targeted an audience formed of students, teachers, and university professor and comprised a series of 20 public lectures at universities and high schools for both Romanian and Russian-speaking groups. The information campaign covered topics such as cyber security, NATO-Russia relations, environmental and energy security. At the end of the project, a national conference for young researchers and graduate students on the topic “The National Security in the context of the regional challenges: Takeaways for Moldova” was organized.

IDC on NATO Projects in 2015 (ongoing)

Capacity building training for journalists: Reflecting security related issues and practical cooperation between NATO and Moldova: The project is intended to deepen our media’s understanding of the security and defense issues that the R. of Moldova is currently facing the partnership between NATO and the R. of Moldova, the challenges this cooperation is trying to address, what its benefits are, and finally it aims to provide a better understanding of the actual process of this practical cooperation. The project has three stages: during the first stage the IDC organized a series of capacity building trainings for local journalists; next, the journalists visited the 22nd Peacekeeping battalion training facilities. At last, the group of selected journalists will undertake a working visit in Kosovo where they will meet the Moldovan troops dispatched in the NATO KFOR mission.

IDC’s on NATO Social Media Project: Through this initiative we will improve the image and strengthen the online presence of the IDC on NATO. Under this project the new version of the IDC’s website was launched, and a number of movies from NATO library were translated, adapted and broadcasted on the local television. Besides that, we are working on strengthening our presence on the social networks and we have launched an online informative campaign covering NATO and security related topics.

Speaker Tour Project: The first phase of the Speaker Tour project took place on 9-10 of March, 2015. It comprised public diplomacy activities held in Taraclia, Cahul and Chisinau, with the participation of guest speakers from NATO PASP Division- Mrs. Tanya Hartman and Mr. Krisztian Meszaros. Future activities within this project will comprise a series of student conferences at different universities on the following topic: “Threats of the European security in post cold war period”; there will also be public lectures with speakers from accredited embassies, representatives of governmental institutions, experts in security issues and academia.

NATO week in Moldova, 2015: This year’s edition will comprise a series of events that will take place in Chisinau, as well as in our towns throughout the Republic of Moldova. This project is being implemented in cooperation with the Polish, Turkish and Bulgarian embassies in Moldova. Thus we have organized a number of public events in Taraclia, Cahul and managed to set up a NATO information point in Comrat. The backbone of the NATO Week 2015 edition is the International Conference “Cooperation in a changing environment: The future of Moldova-NATO partnership”

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