Building Bridges Through Dialogue and Exchange: Prof. Goran Bandov Participates in Gender-Centru Activities in the Republic of Moldova
During this period, Gender-Centru is hosting a series of activities and meetings involving Prof. Goran Bandov, an expert in international relations and diplomacy, university professor, and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Croatian Parliament, who is currently in the Republic of Moldova within the framework of the PRELAB research project, funded through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme of the European Union.
His visit provides a valuable opportunity for knowledge exchange between the international academic community, civil society organizations, and local communities, fostering dialogue on issues that directly affect people’s lives—from family well-being and youth participation to gender equality and social inclusion.
This exchange of experience began with participation in the 14th Scientific-Practical Conference “Family and Child Well-Being: Good Practices, Challenges and Perspectives”, organized by Moldova State University. The conference brought together representatives of academia, public authorities, international organizations, and civil society, creating a platform for discussion on policies and practices aimed at supporting families and promoting child well-being.
The experience continued within local communities, where discussions on research and public policies met the realities of everyday life. In Ungheni, together with the Safe Spaces Mobile Team supported by UNFPA Moldova, Prof. Bandov took part in an interactive session with adolescents and young people. The meeting evolved into an open dialogue on topics such as relationships between women and men, freedom, civic participation, artificial intelligence, and climate change—issues that highlighted the younger generation’s interest in and capacity for critical reflection on contemporary society.
During the same period, participation in activities organized together with the Gender Equality Platform and local partners provided opportunities for discussions on community engagement, human rights, and the role of civil society in advancing equality and social inclusion. These interactions emphasized the importance of cooperation among different social actors and the exchange of good practices across diverse contexts and experiences.
At the Family Festival organized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the dialogue expanded to include families, children, and community members. Through interactions at the Gender-Centru and Safe Spaces stand, participants learned more about support services available for women and girls affected by violence, the importance of safe spaces within communities, and ongoing initiatives designed to strengthen community resilience and well-being.
Although different in format and audience, all these activities shared a common objective: creating spaces for dialogue, learning, and mutual understanding. Within the framework of the PRELAB project, such experiences contribute to connecting international academic perspectives with local realities and fostering collaborations that place people, communities, and their needs at the center.
For Gender-Centru, these exchanges represent an important opportunity to bring together diverse expertise, encourage intergenerational dialogue, and contribute to building more inclusive, equitable, and resilient communities.