Sergio Vieira de Mello academic network: the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy ”Nicolae Testemitanu” partnered with UNHCR to join the international academic network focused on refugee protection

On 3 May 2024, the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemițanu” of the Republic of Moldova signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UNHCR, the UN Agency for Refugees in the Republic of Moldova aiming to join efforts in protecting refugees through a series of activities under the framework of UNHCR Sérgio Vieira de Mello Academic Network.  

With the mission of promoting and disseminating international humanitarian law, human rights, and international refugee law,  the parties committed to work together on developing academic courses and support research activities focused on forced displacement; the activities will aim to raise awareness on refugee issues as well as enhance the capacity of local specialists to address mental health issues in humanitarian emergencies.  

“The “Nicolae Testemițanu” State University of Medicine and Pharmacy from the Republic of Moldova is honored to be part of the academic network of the Sergio Vieira de Mello Chair (SVMC), which is committed to addressing the issue of forced displacement through involvement in research, teaching, and community outreach activities. 

By signing the Memorandum of Understanding with UNHCR, the UN Agency for Refugees in the Republic of Moldova, we commit to promoting and disseminating international humanitarian law, human rights, and international refugee law, as well as organizing activities aimed at integrating the refugee theme into the academic curriculum and community services. 

The conclusion of this partnership will enable us to jointly develop activities that would facilitate the academic, social, and professional integration of refugees, such as training, research, and community awareness initiatives.” said Emil Ceban, the Rector of USMF “Nicolae Testemițanu”. 

““This is a life-saving activity: you do it as doctors, we do it as humanitarians. Today, by signing this Memorandum of Understanding, we are committing to expanding our work in addressing forced displacement through academic programmes, research, and awareness raising activities, among others. Sergio Vieira was a United Nations diplomat who opened the discussion with the Government of the Republic of Moldova on its accession to the 1951 Refugee Convention, and we should continue joining our efforts towards protecting refugees every day” said Bertrand Blanc, Representative of UNHCR in the Republic of Moldova a.i.  

UNHCR, in line with the Global Compact on Refugees, recognizes that academic institutions play a primary role in the teaching, promotion and dissemination of International Refugee Law and Human Rights in general. 

Through this partnership with USMF, UNHCR aims to enhance education and awareness about forced displacement and international refugee protection by supporting academic courses, research, awareness raising activities and other activities focused on forced displacement in the academic area. 

The academic network of the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair (SVMC) is a partnership between UNHCR, and universities/academic institutions committed to addressing the issue of forced displacement through involvement in research, teaching, and community information activities. 

Currently, the SVMC network is established in 5 countries (Brazil, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, and the United Kingdom). These five national SVMC networks are part of the Global Interdisciplinary Academic Network (GAIN), a broader framework of cooperation between UNHCR and academic institutions, created based on the Global Compact on Refugees to promote academic engagement in solidarity with forcibly displaced persons and stateless persons. 

Annually, each national SVMC network organizes an academic conference to discuss best practices in educational inclusion for refugees and stateless persons and to share the academic achievements of SVMC member institutions, with logistical and financial support from UNHCR. 

Sérgio Vieira de Mello was a Brazilian diplomat of the United Nations who worked within UNHCR and other UN humanitarian and political agencies for over 34 years. He was considered a possible candidate for the position of UN Secretary-General but was killed in a bomb attack in Iraq in 2003. SVMC was created in honor of Sergio Vieira and his dedication to the cause of forced displacement, which also involves promoting educational opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers.