World Refugee Day 2004: Republic of Moldova

UNHCR organised a drawing competition for school children with the World Refugee Day theme, "A place to call home: Rebuilding lives in safety and dignity". The competition was announced through local newspapers and through the Ministry of Education, so that all the schools in the country could participate. UNHCR collected about 40 works and the best entries were mentioned with prizes. The drawings were displayed at the Charity Centre for Refugees and at the UNHCR office.

UNHCR, in cooperation with the Charity Centre for Refugees (CCR) and the Main Directorate for Refugees (MDR), organised a sports competition for refugee children and adults at the Reception Centre for Asylum Seekers (RCAS).

The CCR hosted a cultural party dedicated to World Refugee Day, including national dances and cuisine. Handicraft works made by refugee children during ceramics lessons organised by the CCR were exhibited. The event was attended by government officials, members of Parliament, implementing partners and media representatives.

On 25 June, an open-air concert was organised by MDR with the participation of local artists in the square of the Central Market (UNIC) in Chisinau.

Local media received information packages, World Refugee Day stickers and small calendars with the World Refugee Day logo. These were distributed to a large number of minibuses circulating in the city.

The World Refugee Day TV spot was broadcast on national TV and PRO TV. From 14 to 27 June, the Patria cinema screened refugee films and hosted a poster exhibition on World Refugee Day.

World Refugee Day publicity billboards were placed in the most crowded parts of the city - close to the Presidency and Parliament buildings, opposite the Mayor's office and on the bridge connecting two regions of the city.