Thursday, September 11, 2025 – The Palace of the Republic in Chișinău hosted the launch conference of the project “Transfer of Good Practices and Strengthening Administrative Capacity in Regional Development Policy between Romania and the Republic of Moldova,” funded by the Interreg NEXT Romania – Republic of Moldova Program.

The event, organized in partnership between the Center for Analysis and Planning of Regional Development (CAPDR) and the Regional Development Agency of Chișinău (ADR Chișinău), brought together representatives of public administration, regional development experts, and decision-makers from both countries.

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Speaker:

Victor BURUNSUS – Strategic Consulting Expert, Republic of Moldova

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB4qbATSBLQ[/embed>

Personal Connection to the Medical Field and the Importance of Collaboration

Victor Burunsus began his speech with an emotional recollection of his father, a neurosurgeon, who worked under the guidance of Dr. Mihai Ciocanu:

“There were times when saving a human life meant an effort that only my father could take on. An MRI had to be done in Kyiv, tests in Odessa, support from Saint Petersburg. Yet, the intervention was possible, even though here in Moldova everyone said it couldn’t be done.”

This experience was for him evidence of the power of international collaboration and introduced the central theme of the CAPDR–ADR project: the exchange of good practices and mutual support.

Strategy and Team – Conditions for Success

Burunsus then emphasized the importance of a strategic approach, based on coherent planning and implementation:

“It is good to know where we want to go. But to get there, we need the team, because a strategy without implementation is a hallucination.”

The expert drew attention to the lack of integrated planning in many urban projects, where infrastructure works are carried out chaotically, without an overall vision:

“In a European capital, all networks are planned from the start within an integrated urban development strategy. This way, the city is clean and attractive to tourists.”

Tourism and Experience – Engines of Development

Burunsus also highlighted Chișinău’s potential to attract tourists through a diverse offer of experiences:

“What would attract tourists to our capital? It comes down to one word – experience. For some, the theater is a unique experience; for others, medical services can be a life-saving experience.”

In this context, the expert emphasized the Republic of Moldova’s chance to become a regional hub for medical tourism, offering competitive services at European standards.

Education and Skills for the Future

Another critical point raised was aligning education with the real needs of the labor market:

“At the Center of Excellence in Information Technology in Chișinău, students in the networking program are learning Photoshop. Seriously? A networking specialist needs dedicated software, not Photoshop. It is vital to understand companies’ needs and adapt educational programs accordingly.”

Thus, Burunsus advocated for an educational reform connected to the demands of companies in telecommunications and technology.

A Framework of Friendship and Collaboration

In conclusion, the expert thanked the organizers and reminded participants of the symbolism of the hall hosting the event:

“This magnificent hall, the Palace of the Republic, was originally called the Palace of Friendship. Let us preserve this spirit of friendship and collaboration throughout the project, to achieve a synergistic effect.”

Conclusion

Victor Burunsus’ speech highlighted lessons from the past, present priorities, and future perspectives, emphasizing the importance of a clear strategic vision, education aligned with economic realities, and cross-border collaboration. He reminded that true development does not happen in a fragmented way, but through integrated planning focused on people and their real needs. 

His message perfectly aligned with the spirit of the CAPDR–ADR project, which aims to turn good practices into concrete tools for modernizing regional development policies and improving citizens’ quality of life in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. In this context, Burunsus’ ideas were meant to inspire but also to encourage responsibility among participants, inviting them to look beyond the present and build for future generations.