On 15 May 2026, the first meeting of the Advisory Council on the Development of Multilingual and Multicultural Education took place. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research, CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, local specialist bodies in the field of education, representatives of the academic community, school headteachers, and teaching staff from schools where lessons are taught in the languages of national minorities.
During the meeting, participants discussed the institutional and regulatory framework for the sustainable implementation of multilingual education, the support provided to pilot schools, and the importance of training teaching staff in the application of CLIL methodology. At the same time, the key role of education authorities, the academic community, school administrations and parents in the effective implementation of multilingual education was emphasised, as was the importance of informing the public and the educational community about the benefits of multilingual education.
“The fact that an increasing number of educational institutions are participating in the Multilingual Education Programme demonstrates the growing interest among educational communities in promoting inclusive education. Multilingual education is a vital tool for strengthening social cohesion and showcasing the cultural diversity of the Republic of Moldova. By developing the language skills of pupils, including those from ethnic communities, and promoting intercultural dialogue, we are helping to build a more inclusive and cohesive society,”
said Valentina Olaru, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Research.
Natalia Djandjgava, CMI’s Country Manager, noted that the success of implementing multilingual education depends on cooperation between government bodies, educational institutions, communities and development partners.
“We are convinced that the work of the Advisory Council on the Development of Multilingual and Multicultural Education will help to strengthen cooperation, facilitate the exchange of experience and identify joint solutions to support multilingual and multicultural education in the Republic of Moldova,”
— mentioned Natalia Djandjgava.
During the meeting, representatives from the Ministry of Education and Research emphasised the importance of cooperation with CMI, highlighting the expert support provided by CMI’s specialists, as well as the organisation’s contribution to capacity-building for professionals in the field of multilingual education. In this context, a study visit to South Tyrol was cited as an example of best practice in implementing multilingual education and promoting international exchange of experience.
The meeting concluded with the formulation of specific conclusions and recommendations on the implementation of multilingual education in the Republic of Moldova.
The Advisory Council for the Development of Multilingual and Multicultural Education was established by order of the Ministry of Education and Research with the aim of ensuring a systematic approach to the development, coordination, implementation and monitoring of policies in the field of multilingual and multicultural education.
