18 Specialists Begin Training to Implement the PANDA Programme in Three Regions of the Country

With the support of UNICEF, 18 specialists from the Territorial Social Assistance Agencies (ATAS) North–West (STAS Ungheni, Călărași, Nisporeni), ATAS Centre–West (STAS Orhei, Rezina, Șoldănești, Telenești) and ATAS Centre–East (STAS Fălești, Sîngerei, Glodeni) are being trained as moderators of the PANDA Psychosocial Support Programme. Following the training, they will facilitate group sessions for children and adults, thus contributing to the implementation and further development of the PANDA Programme across the three regions.

Present at the opening of the event, Ms Viorica Dumbrăveanu, Child Protection Officer at UNICEF Moldova, noted that alcohol consumption by a family member can have severe negative effects on a child’s well-being. Among the adverse consequences are the deterioration of relationships and the child’s emotional state, as well as increased risks to physical and psychological health. In extreme cases, these effects may even lead to the separation of the child from the family as a necessary protection measure to ensure the child’s safety and well-being. This training represents the first UNICEF-supported step in the implementation of the PANDA Programme; however, together with our partners, we aim to support its roll-out at national level, Ms Dumbrăveanu stated.

According to Irina Spivacenco, Project Coordinator at Partnerships for Every Child, one of the most critical social challenges in the Republic of Moldova remains excessive alcohol consumption within families, which seriously affects children’s well-being. In this context, public policies in the field of child protection have established objectives and priorities for the development and strengthening of services and programmes aimed at family strengthening, violence reduction and child empowerment. Among the important initiatives supporting these efforts to consolidate the child protection system is the PANDA Programme. The results achieved and the positive changes observed in the lives of children and families demonstrate the effectiveness and relevance of this programme in the current context, Ms Spivacenco emphasized.

The training workshop is organized within the project “Every Girl and Boy Is Protected and Empowered to Realize Their Potential with Dignity”, funded by UNICEF and implemented by the Partnerships for Every Child, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

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The PANDA Programme is an internationally accredited educational programme with therapeutic elements for children and adults who are living in, or are part of the same environment as, individuals dependent on alcohol. Programme participants include groups of children aged 4 to 18 and groups of their parents who are not alcohol-dependent. The programme has been implemented in the Republic of Moldova since 2015 and has been tested, evaluated and adapted to the national context. This evidence-based programme provides essential support in addressing issues related to alcohol dependency and its impact on families. It aims to change children’s attitudes towards their own situation and their family context, improve the psycho-emotional well-being of children from families affected by alcohol consumption, enhance self-esteem, support better school performance and healthier relationships within the community, and prevent alcohol consumption among children.