The audience of the National Institute of Justice won the 3rd place at the THEMIS European competition

The audience of the National Institute of Justice (INJ) represented the Republic of Moldova at the THEMIS magistracy schools competition organized by the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN), between May 14-17, 2024, in Budapest, Hungary. The INJ team took third place at the prestigious competition for future judges and prosecutors, competing with representatives of judicial training institutions from Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Poland, Portugal and Hungary.

The candidates for the position of prosecutor - Serghei Nazarenco, Andrei Dubceac and Cristian Gurin, under the guidance of the tutor Olga Ionaș, prosecutor delegated in the Legal Assistance and International Cooperation Section at the General Prosecutor's Office, participated in Semi-final A: The European Union and criminal procedural law. In the context of the entry into force, on February 17, 2024, at the European level, a Digital Services Regulation, which imposes strict standards for the protection of children in the online environment, the INJ audience decided to draw up, in English, a report with the generic Everything starts with simple "Hi" (It all starts with a greeting). In their work, the future prosecutors dealt with various problematic aspects and corresponding solutions regarding the fight against online sexual abuse of children.

During the competition, for 30 minutes, the audience of the National Institute of Justice presented the chosen topic, after which a debate session followed both with the members of the jury and with the members of another randomly chosen team. Their performance was judged by an international jury that assessed the quality, originality, critical thinking and perspective of hypothetical solutions, reference to relevant case law, as well as communication skills and consistency of presentation.

The National Institute of Justice also participated in previous editions of the European THEMIS competition. In 2023, INJ representatives were awarded the Special Jury Prize "Fighters for judicial integrity in Moldova" and the "Prize of Honor of the Public".    

The participation of the team of the National Institute of Justice of the Republic of Moldova in this year's THEMIS competition was possible thanks to the financial support of the Justice Reform and Anti-Corruption Project (JARA), through the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The THEMIS European competition is held annually and addresses topics relevant to the evolution and adaptation of judicial systems to social and legislative changes in Europe. Aiming to promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences in the legal field between justice system professionals from various European countries, the event is an opportunity for young lawyers to test their skills in a competitive environment and improve their knowledge in various areas of law.