SOME COOL LINKS: Mostly about Moldova

Moldova.org good for news and events in and about Moldova.

Clipa.Siderala works to provide better lives for orphans.

Peter Myers' Blog contains the adventures of a Peace Corps teacher in a nearby village.

Mary Magoulick's Blog a colleague of mine from GC&SU, who is on a Fulbright in Croatia this semester.

SPIA the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia--my graduate alma matter.

The Moldova "Quasi-Blog" V:

The Adventure Continues...and continues...and then continues some more...

Links to all of my on-line ramblings and other useful information.

22 May...The Academy of Public Administration of the Office of the President of Moldova...a new lecturing gig for me! As a part of my original grant, I asked to work with the Academy of Public Administration. As a part of my one month extension, I have been invited to give a series of lectures at the Academy. Last week I gave my first lecture on "Planning at the Local Level" for officials working to improve the nation's roads. I wish them lots of luck--it is a primary need of Moldova. Next week I will be giving two talks one on "Women in the Public Sector" and another on "Ethics for Local Government Administrators." I get to work with translators for these talks but I have found the attendees very receptive.

My first day at the Academy was also its 13th anniversary and I got to attend the celebration and the reception afterwards. I have to say that I have never seen children dancing to "We Will Rock You," which was the entertainment for the event (that also included lots of speeches and flowers being presented). The academy is established as a means to insure that the quality of government is enhanced in Moldova. This is a difficult task considering the Communist heritage of the administrative in Moldova. I met people that are trying to make a difference and that always excites me.

The academy is located on the edge of Chisinau and overlooks some lovely farmland. I noted that spring had really come to Moldova on my ride out to the Academy on two accounts. One, the trees are blooming and green and the whole place seems more alive--it is gorgeous, here in Spring. Two, it is insanely hot when cooped up in the Marshrutka with 25 other people! The windows on the little buses are typically sealed shut--I think I will be walking more.

The gates to the Academy of Public Administration of the Office of the President of Moldova.

Me with Christina and Sergiu my interpreters at the Academy of Public Administration.

View of the fields from the Academy of Public Administration.

The rector (woman in pink) of the Academy of Public Administration leads toasts celebrating the 13th anniversary of the Academy.