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“Norway is the most democratic country in the world” – this is the conclusion of three young representatives of the Promo-LEX Association, who on 2-7 September 2019, paid a study visit to Oslo, Norway to observe elections and debates held in schools.

Observing the electoral campaigns conducted in Norwegian schools, Maria Toma was deeply impressed by the involvement of the Norwegian youth in decision-making processes. “Schools host political debates of young party representatives who present their electoral program to students. After only a few days, students had the opportunity to participate in the elections organized in the school and to cast their votes in favor of one or another party. It is interesting to note that they do not admit any irregularities in Norway, people are responsible and punctual, and the values on which the society is built are trust and integrity,” says Maria Toma, a participant in the PromoTE program.

The experience gained in Norway by the local coordinator of the “Come to Vote!” campaign, Cristian Dolința, will be more than useful: “… I have noticed the desire of the delegates to create a better country and to work for the benefit of the citizens. The main thing that determines Norwegian MPs to make changes is that they are part of the society, they use the public transportation and they encounter the same daily problems that simple citizens do.”

Catalin Lupascu, a Promo-LEX short-term observer, is impressed by the energy and drive of the young citizens in Norway “… they are interested in politics and deeply concerned with what the authorities do, they are strong environmentalists and have many initiatives. Their values and interests differ to a great extent from those of the Moldovan youth. In the Republic of Moldova, young people are not so much concerned about the environment, they are less interested in electoral processes, in defending their rights or freedoms in the cases, where they are clearly violated. I believe that only the influx of values from the West, the exchange of experiences, studies in international programs will change the youth of the Republic of Moldova and will give them inspiration and interest for a better life.”

The study tour was made at the initiative of the human rights organization, Norwegian Helsinki Committee. Thus, several young students from Azerbaijan, Moldova and Ukraine had the opportunity to observe the school elections and debates in Oslo, before the municipal elections held in Oslo on September 9, 2019.