Representatives from the Moldovan cities of Călărași, Cimișlia, Dubăsari, and Soroca joined their peers from Brescia and Reggio Emilia, Italy, and engaged in discussions centred on the theme "Città contro l’odio" (Cities against hate). This collaborative initiative aimed to foster the exchange of local experiences and initiatives designed to combat hatred and promote inclusion, especially for the most vulnerable members of society. It shows a positive way to tackle hate and discrimination through international co-operation and local action.
The participants included municipal counsellors, police officers, social workers, and activists from civil society organisations from both countries, all dedicated in their commitment to addressing discrimination and promoting human rights.
The opening statements from local leaders set an encouraging tone for the discussions, emphasising the importance of community engagement in combating hate. This sentiment was echoed by the non-governmental organisations part of this exchange, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to create inclusive environments.
The study visits was organised jointly with the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025-2028, in partnership with the municipalities of Brescia and Reggio Emilia, as well as the National Network for Combating Hatred and Hate Speech.
The event is part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme Partnership for Good Governance, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, and implemented by the Council of Europe, in the framework of the project “Combating discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes in the Republic of Moldova”.
