Twenty youth workers and leaders in the Republic of Moldova have completed an intensive human rights education course, using the Council of Europe’s COMPASS Manual for Human Rights Education with Young People. This training, held from 6 to 9 May 2026 in Chisinau, was organised by the Council of Europe and the National Youth Agency as part of the “Youth for Democracy and Human Rights in the Republic of Moldova” project. This initiative is a key element of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Moldova, running from 2025 to 2028.

 Participants included youth workers, leaders, volunteers, and trainers from both formal and non-formal education sectors. Over four days, the group explored crucial topics such as democratic citizenship, inclusion, participation, and human rights, all through interactive and non-formal learning methods.

 Falk Lange, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Chisinau, described COMPASS as “an invitation to experience, reflect and act.” He emphasized that human rights education is about treating young people as agents of change and empowering them to put knowledge into action.

 The event was opened by Sergiu Gurin, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Research, and Alexandr Petrov, Director of the National Youth Agency. Both stressed the importance of partnership with the Council of Europe and highlighted COMPASS as a catalyst for participation and dialogue across Moldovan communities.

 The course consisted of a residential phase and a follow-up stage. Participants have committed to launching concrete human rights education activities within their own communities in the coming months, extending the benefits of the training throughout Moldova. The Council of Europe and the National Youth Agency have pledged ongoing support to help participants continue this important work.

 This training was jointly organised by the project “Youth for Democracy and Human Rights in the Republic of Moldova,” the National Youth Agency, the Ministry of Education and Research, and the National Youth Council of the Republic of Moldova.