On Monday, October 15, 2018, Diana Scobioala, the Director of the National Institute of Justice, and Valentina Contescu, the Advisor of the Director, had a meeting with the United States Department of State officials.
The American delegation included: Erin Sawyer, the Director of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) for the region of Europe and Asia of the U.S. Department of State, Judith Campbell, Deputy Director of the same Office, John Wilcox, Deputy Director of the Office for U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia. The meeting was also attended by the representatives of the Criminal justice and law enforcement section of the US Embassy in the Republic of Moldova - Timothy Buckley, Director, Kevin Lanigan, Senior Justice Advisor and Radu Foltea, national legal counselor.
The subjects of the discussions between the two parties included the training modalities of both future judges and prosecutors, as well as judges and prosecutors in office, the activities carried out within the National Institute of Justice, the institution's attributions regarding initial training, continuous training and training of trainers etc. In particular, the NIJ Director referred to the changes in the training process of the NIJ trainees, including the adaptation of study plans to the practical training of the trainees and the integration of simulation of trials in the initial training course; also to the reforming of continuous training programs conducted in accordance with the professional development needs of judges, prosecutors and other actors in the justice sector.
During the meeting, Diana Scobioala spoke about the formation of the young magistrates resource group, the majority of NIJ graduates. Young judges are trained in various areas within activities of continuous training and training of trainers to increase the efficiency of the act of justice.
Also, the NIJ Director appreciated the contribution and cooperation between the National Institute of Justice and the US Embassy in the Republic of Moldova, as well as the contribution of the Government of the United States of America to the modernization of the edifice, including the design and reconstruction of the trial simulation rooms, which will benefit NIJ trainees.
