Rising inequalities, economic pressures, aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, climate challenge, and ongoing war in Ukraine - Europe is experiencing a “perfect storm” of overlapping crises that erode the social contract and undermine citizens’ trust in institutions. Amid these challenges, the side event “Social Rights – Pillar for Democratic Stability and Resilience for the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine” took place on 18 March 2026 in Chișinău, on the margins of the High-Level Conference on Social Rights: the European Social Charter.
The side event highlighted how democratic stability and resilience can be strengthened through the effective implementation of European social rights standards, particularly the European Social Charter, building on the reform experiences of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.
Opening the discussions, Mr Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, emphasized that social rights are an integral part of the response to current threats to democracy. The Secretary General highlighted: “What has been built on this continent over more than 70 years is not just good neighbourhood between countries. It is a project we developed together around the European Social Charter. It reflects a strong commitment supported and implemented by member states. That is not theoretical. It underlines, in reality, what it means to have governments and international organisations engaged — to be able to deliver to the people”
Ms Aoife Nolan, President of the European Committee of Social Rights, underlined that compliance with the European Social Charter directly contributes to democratic resilience and stability across Europe, and that the Committee’s monitoring work can inform social reforms in member States, thereby fostering social justice, public trust, and the overall resilience of European democracies.
Mr Denys Uliutin, Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, outlined the Ukrainian model of social transformation and its strategic logic: "Vulnerability today is not limited to traditional social groups. It affects people who only a few years ago had stable lives and livelihoods. In this context, our task is not only to provide humanitarian support, but to build social resilience — the ability of people and communities to recover, adapt, and continue functioning despite the war".
Ms Natalia Plugaru, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova, underlined : “Moldova remains committed to strengthening social protection systems, reducing poverty, and ensuring equal access to essential services for all citizens and refugees living in our country. The reforms we are implementing aim to modernize the social assistance system, improve the targeting of benefits, strengthen social services, and ensure that support reaches those who need it most. At the same time, we aim to contribute actively to the European dialogue on social rights, sharing our experiences and learning from the best practices of other countries”.
Both countries emphasised that alignment with the European Social Charter standards is a deliberate societal choice that contributes to democratic resilience and inclusive recovery.
This event was organized within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova 2025-2028 and the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine "Resilience, Recovery, Reconstruction" for 2023-2026.
