Today, on 15 August, Minister of Education, Culture and Research, Monica Babuc, had a meeting with the chief executive officer and executive-vice president of the World Jewish Congress, Robert Singer, who is in one official visit in Republic of Moldova.

During the meeting, Minister Monica Babuc reviewed the most relevant actions taken by the Government of the Republic of Moldova to condemn the Holocaust and to combat anti-Semitism. Monica Babuc noted that in July 2016, the Moldovan Parliament adopted the Declaration on the acceptance of the final report of the International Commission on Holocaust, chaired by Elie Wiesel, and in January 2017 the Government approved an Action Plan on its implementation. Thus, yearly, on January 27, our country marks the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

At the same time, the minister spoke about the main activities that the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research organizes in partnership with the Jewish community of Moldova, namely: ,,Zlata Tcaci” instrumental contest; The National Essay Contest ,,Holocaust: History and Life Lessons”, organized jointly with the Jewish Cultural Center ,,KEDEM"; the exhibition of the visual art contest ,,The Colors of a Genocide” organized at the College of Fine Arts ,,Alexandru Plămădeală"; the inviting of Jewish artists to the events organized by the ministry; and other.

Regarding the updating of the educational program in the Republic of Moldova to the chapter of study of the Holocaust, Monica Babuc stressed that in the school curriculum of the subject ,, ,,Romanian and Universal History” and ,,Civic Education” there are still some Holocaust learning units from 2010. Other topics of the discussion focused on the current stage of the process of creation the Museum of Jewish History in the Republic of Moldova; conservation and protection of monuments dedicated to Holocaust victims; maintenance of Jewish cemeteries, etc.

In his turn, Robert Singer thanked for receptivity and cordiality and appreciated the attention and involvement of Minister Monica Babuc both in the field of education and commemoration the Holocaust, as well as in ensuring a fruitful collaboration with the Jewish community.

We mention that on 14 August, during an event that took place at ,,KEDEM” Cultural Center, Monica Babuc got handed to Alexandr Bilinkis, the President of Jewish community of Moldova, the highest distinction of Government of the Republic of Moldova: Diploma of first degree for professionalism and dedication, civic activism and promotion of cultural-national values.

We remind that Alexandr Bilinkis is the initiator of the restoration of the monument ,,In Memory of the Victims of Fascism” and the adjacent area, located on Calea Orheiului 1street in Chisinau.