Thousands of people throughout the Republic of Moldova are invited to watch the screen version of the play "Abandoned People", written by the well-known dramatist, Dumitru Crudu. The initiative is part of a nation-wide information campaign aimed at countering irregular migration.

The campaign is funded under the European Commission's AENEAS project "Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in Ukraine and Moldova" amounting to EUR 304,384 (MDL 5,000,000), the budget of the campaign amounts to EUR 34,693 (MDL 570,000). The campaign is co-funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will be implemented during 2007-2008 by the International Organization for Migration, Mission to the Republic of Moldova (IOM Moldova).

Based on real stories broaching the massive out migration of Moldovan citizens, the premiere of the play took place on November 25, 2005, in the "Eugene Ionesco" theatre with the support of IOM Moldova. Building on the great success the play had in Chisinau and throughout the country, IOM Moldova decided to carry out a nation-wide information campaign.

The screen version of "Abandoned People" is being shown in over 140 small towns and villages throughout Moldova and followed by facilitated discussions with the audience. In the framework of this campaign, over 70 representatives of Youth Local Councils and IOM Moldova volunteers were trained to organize video screenings and facilitate subsequent discussions. The play is presently broadcast by local and regional TV stations from Moldova, followed by public debates.

This initiative is developed in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Youth (MEY) of the Republic of Moldova, as well as with the Ministry of Economy and Trade (MET), through the network of the National Employment Agency (NEA). In addition to the video presentations and debates, brochures will be distributed and 'stills' with pictures from the play will be exhibited, addressing the basic questions and answers, presented to the general audience under the generic "Abandoned People - Seven Questions in Search of Answers" in the NEA's offices throughout the country.

"This is a heart-wrenching play. It gives a voice to countless Moldovans who are now privately suffering abroad and who do not dare to talk about it in order to protect many loved ones at home from guilt, pain and shame. Dumitru Crudu, the playwright, showed tremendous courage and a passion to uncover without any voyeurism", said Martin Wyss, IOM Moldova Chief of Mission.

We avail ourselves of this opportunity to invite interested media representatives to join IOM Moldova in "Abandoned People" presentations within this campaign.

Please download the "Abandoned People" Seven Questions in Search of Answers" brochure here
 ( PDF, 200KB )