The opportunity to understand better the functioning of the institution that carries out the training of future judges and prosecutors, as well as the practical aspects of judicial training delivered by the National Institute of Justice was provided, during a study visit, to young lawyers under the „Action for Justice – 6th edition” program, as well as for law students from the Free International University of Moldova (ULIM) and the University of European Studies of Moldova (USEM). The event took place on the afternoon of Monday, May 22, and was a great opportunity for them to interact with the institution's management, with trainers and NIJ graduates in the campaign to promote the NIJ-2023 admission contest.
The young people were greeted by Ecaterina Popa, ad interim Director of the NIJ, Veronica Mihailov-Moraru, Minister of Justice, Alexandr Cauia, deputy Rector for Academic Strategy and Study Programs, ULIM, and Artur Airapetean, deputy Rector for academic strategy and study programs, USEM. The Minister came with a message of encouragement to those present to apply at the National Institute of Justice, ensuring that among the priorities set by the Government is the identification of solutions for the employment of NIJ graduates.
Next, the participants had a dialogue with the NIJ graduates: Maria Frunze, member of the Superior Council of Magistracy, seconded judge, INJ trainer, Igor Demciucin, ad interim Deputy of the General Prosecutor, NIJ trainer, Ion Bocan, head of the Continuous training Section, NIJ trainer, candidate for the position of judge, and Catalin Lisii, main specialist in the Initial Training Section, candidate for the position of prosecutor.
The topics addressed where mostly focused on the initial training of future judges and prosecutors, the steps that those wishing to become NIJ trainees must take, as well as the benefits of the e-admission system and the electronic testing implemented in the process of admission to NIJ. The young people were also interested in the experiences gained during the initial training and witnessed the live broadcast of a process simulation involving the trainees, thus providing participants with a realistic perspective on how future judges and prosecutors are trained at the National Institute of Justice.
In addition to the informative part, visitors explored the modern facilities of the institution and went to the most representative study rooms: the computer room and the mock trial room.
We mention that in April the students of the law faculty of the State University of Moldova also stepped on the NIJ threshold in order to get acquainted with the activity of the Institute and to participate in mock trial.
The study visit of potential NIJ trainees was preceded by an ad hoc meeting of representatives of the relevant institutions invited to the event, discussing issues regarding the possibilities offered by NIJ to train future judges and prosecutors in the context of accelerating the recruitment of new staff in the judiciary.