Moldovan president's speech at National Forum of Social Protection Professionals

Dear social protection professionals,

Madam Minister,

Dear partners,

Ladies and gentlemen,

The today’s professional celebration is, above all, about a fundamental value that lies at the foundation of every community: humanity.

Humanity means not remaining indifferent when someone beside us is going through a difficult situation. It means seeing beyond the problem they are facing, respecting their dignity and trying to help them move forward.

You turn humanity into a profession.

You stand alongside children who need safety.

Alongside older people who can no longer manage on their own.

Alongside people with disabilities who need support to live as independently as possible.

The work of a social worker requires knowledge and professionalism, but above all, it requires knowing how to listen, being empathetic and having patience. Sometimes it means entering homes where problems have accumulated over many years. And the simple fact that someone comes and listens, without judging, can make an enormous difference.

For this work, which is often difficult and not always visible enough, I would like to thank you.

In recent years, we have faced many challenges together. The pandemic, the war at our border and the energy crisis have placed enormous pressure on people, especially the most vulnerable.

And each time, social protection professionals were among those called upon to respond quickly and stand by those affected.

These challenges have also shown us where greater efficiency is needed.

Through the RESTART reform, a broad transformation of social assistance has begun, aimed at building a better-organized, more professional system that is closer to communities. A system in which the assistance a person receives does not depend on the locality where they live and that responds better to each person’s real needs.

We are already seeing important changes. We have more specialists working to protect children. We are developing services for people with disabilities and services that enable people to remain in their communities. Mobile teams are providing support to an ever-growing number of beneficiaries. Cases’ management has been expanded, so that people’s problems can be followed up and resolved.

But no reform can be better than the people who put it into practice.

That is why, the professionalization of social assistance is so important. We are investing more in the training of specialists, continuing education and new areas of specialization. We need young people to see social assistance as a profession to which they can dedicate themselves. And we need those who have worked in the system for many years, in order to feel that their experience and dedication are valued.

Some of you will be honored today, but our gratitude should rightly go to everyone who carries out their duty responsibly in this field.

Ladies and gentlemen,

A modern social system must also meet another requirement, beyond supporting people in need.

It must also help people who are able to work find a job and build their lives through their own efforts.

It is encouraging to see significant progress in this direction as well. Employment services are succeeding in helping more and more citizens find jobs, and measures related to entering or returning to the labor market have been expanded. It is crucial to continue these measures, including for women who want to return to work after a period spent caring for their families.

At the same time, progress has been made in combating undeclared work. More and more situations in which people were working without contracts are being identified, and more and more employees are moving into legal employment. This is a positive development, because it means they benefit from the rights to which they are entitled, are protected when they become ill, contribute toward their pensions and have greater security for themselves and their families.

Because, ultimately, for those who are able to work, a legal and stable job is one of the best forms of social protection.

Therefore, we must continue building a system that protects vulnerable people, while also helping as many people as possible become self-sufficient and secure their future through work.

We can change institutions, build digital systems and create new services. But for a person who needs help, the state takes on a human face only through the workers they meet.

Through the social worker who crosses their threshold, the specialist who helps them find a job, and the official who listens to their problem and seeks a solution.

Trust in this system depends on your professionalism and integrity.

Thank you once again for your humanity and for the care you show for your fellow citizens.

 

I wish you the strength to continue this work and to see its results more and more often in the lives of those you help.