SOUTHERN CITY Quarter 4 2022 24 North Carolina and Moldova were not a part of that initial partnership wave, and did not establish until 1996. Yet, despite the slightly late start, few, if any, partnerships are as strong, especially concerning the civilian-focused activities, according to North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall. Holding office since 1997, Marshall has been involved nearly the whole way, and played a central role when the civilian-to-civilian partnership was made official in 1999 with a document signing between Moldovan President Petru Lucinschi and North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt. “I was asked to co-chair the partnership from the very beginning, and I’m still at it,” Marshall told Southern City in a phone interview. It is this element of the relationship that has grown slowly and steadily and largely without interruption, now forming a vast apparatus of volunteerism, charity, and education. “Once it started, it picked up steam,” said Marshall. “We have so much individual initiative going on with people that, for whatever their motivations might be, have bonded with Moldova… It’s people of goodwill wanting to make a difference.” There are local dentists that travel each year to Moldova to provide care; educators that have established book-sharing programs with Moldovan schools and libraries; exchanges of supplies with hospitals; programs to improve healthcare, specifically as it relates to nurses; nonprofits dedicated to aiding Moldova; university exchange programs; and stateside, Russian-speaking Moldovans who volunteer to help with high school foreign language classes. “It’s all about personal connection,” said Marshall. “I believe so much in citizen diplomacy, and that’s what this is.” The governmental relationships have developed too, albeit at a different pace. Marshall is quick to note the geographic and political challenges that impede Moldova, which lies landlocked Municipal Diplomacy along the southwest border of Ukraine. Crises range from the country’s relationship with Russia to its economy to its difficult winters, and as it relates to government, there have been instances of corruption within Moldova over the past few decades that have stymied progress. Those closely associated with the relationship, though, feel that this current crop of leaders is different, and that the local government partnership holds incredible potential. On this trip are two mayors, a deputy mayor, three other municipal officials, and a facilitator. Only one is older than 43. “There is something so promising about these mayors and local leaders,” said North Carolina League of Municipalities Executive Director Rose Vaughn Williams. In July, Williams met with a contingent of Moldovan Members of Parliament for discussions on the logistics of forming their own municipal league. “The questions they ask, their curiosity, the passion they show for their country—it was so inspiring to sit and speak with them.” Like with the local government leaders, the Members of Parliament too represent a youth movement in Moldova, with the average age of attendees being 33. The focus has been on foundational issues—the behind-the- curtain issues. Examples include how best can Moldova train its municipal administrative workforce, and how can the country’s cities work together to advance its goals in unison. Then, of course, there are the specific services. The topic on this day is solid waste in Wake County, and the tour is of the South Wake Landfill. While not a municipal operation at this location, many towns do run their own solid waste services, and like so many other services and programs, the local government lines often blur between county and city responsibility. For the Moldova delegation, it’s all transferable knowledge. continued from page 23 continues on page 26 Moldova faces geopol itical and economic issues that the United States does not, and yet the function of North Carol ina cities offers the country a model for how to begin establ ishing the rel iable and strong publ ic foundation that is local government. Members of Moldovan parliament met with NCLM Executive Director Rose Vaughn Williams and the NC Association of County Commissioners in July 2022. Photo Credit: The NC Association of County Commissioners. Deputy Mayor Olga Luchian (center) speaks with delegation facilitator Olesea Fortuna (left) and Holly Springs Town Manager Randy Harrington (right). Photo credit: Ben Brown.
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