Back from Moldova…
Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 8:15pm
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Hello, I’m back safe and sound from a week’s work in Moldova with the National Assembly. We were working with the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia (an autonomous area of Moldova) in developing their legislative practises, and are hoping that we can develop a programme on this for the future, as well as establish links between schools and Universities in Moldova with Wales.
It was a fascinating experience- meeting with the Speaker and the Governor of Gagauzia amongst others, and learning about the culture of the Gagauzian people. It was unfortunate to learn that the People’s Assembly is not working as effectively as it would wish as the Communist party refuses to turn up to give the Assembly the majority it needs to work, but those we spoke to are keen to develop their Assembly, and establish clear definition between the power of the Moldovan government and that of Gagauzia..Sound familiair?!
We are now going to write a Memoranda of Understanding between the Assembly and the Gagauzian Assembly, but this all depends on whether Dafydd Elis Thomas can be convinced of the merits of the Assembly working with Gagauzia. I can certainly see the benefits. We talked to groups of young people, media, business who are all very keen in making their National institutions work. At the moment, the media is state run, young people have very little say within party strucutures, and given that it is the poorest country in Europe there is scope for us to develop economic links also.
There wasn’t very many women, especially not young women, involved in politics in Moldova or Gagauzia, and I think they were fascinated with the role that I play as an AM for that very reason..We gave presentations on the National Assembly for Wales to the people of Gagauzia, who were very interested in how we worked- specifically as they use three languages in everyday life- Gagauz, Moldovan and Russian. They were also interested in developing independent media outlets, and how to hold politicians accountable for their actions.
I will post some photos of the visit here very soon, and on my flickr page. We were treated very well by those we visted and spoke to, and thank you very much for introducing me to the glories of placinte, Mamaliga, and fine Moldovan folk music!
It is back to work in the Assembly this week, and it is Eating Disorders Awareness Week in case you hadn’t already noticed. I am holding an event at the Assembly at 6pm on Wednesday should you wish to attend. The winners of the True Beauty photo competition will be revealed from Madeleine Brindley of the Western Mail, with a speech from Edwina Hart AM. The photos will also be on display all day on Wednesday in the Senedd.
You may also have seen John Dixon, Plaid’s Chair, on the Politics Show earlier today talking about top-up fees. I will blog on this later in the week no doubt. What I will say now is that I am extremely pleased that the National Council voted to maintain party policy against the introduction of top-up fees in Wales.
