Conferința națională „Comunismul românesc”

PRESS RELEASE
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu: By educating the younger generation about what the communist regime meant, we make sure that all these atrocities will never be possible again
Respect for and knowledge of our history and owning up to the past are elements on which a democratic society is founded, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu pointed out in the message read out by the Head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery, Alexandru - Mihai Ghigiu, in the opening session of the national conference Romanian Communism.
The conference, in its twelfth edition, is expected to generate new analytical and methodological approaches to the history of Romanian communism. Romanian and foreign specialists are invited to submit studies on the history of Romanian communism seen in the widest possible framework.
- In addition to the moral duty we have towards all the innocent victims who lost their lives and towards those who sacrificed themselves in the name of an ideal during the Revolution of December 1989, it is our duty not to allow the distortion of the facts of the past and to promote the historical truth. By educating the younger generation about what the communist regime meant and about its consequences to develop a democratic consciousness; we make sure that all these atrocities will never be possible again. It is necessary to protect fundamental rights and freedoms, especially in the current context, marked by challenges and an intensification of extremist, xenophobic, and racist trends. Some 33 years ago, many Romanians did not dare think they could listen to what music they wanted, read what books they wanted, freely choose who to vote for, or simply freely express their opinion. In our days, freedom is seen as a natural part of our existence, nevertheless, we should constantly protect it read out the message from Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu to conference participants.
At the same time, the Head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery, Alexandru-Mihai Ghigiu reiterated the Romanian Government's commitment to the consolidation of memory policies, the promotion of historical truth, and the development of research and education about communism.
- It is important to educate the younger generations to understand the past, to tell the truth from fake news, to become aware of the risks posed by extremism and hate speech. Through education, we will not repeat the mistakes of the past, stated the Head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery.
The opening session of the Romanian Communism national conference took place at the Victoria Palace in the presence of the Head of the Prime Ministers Chancellery, Alexandru-Mihai Ghigiu, the President of the National College for the Study of Securitatea Archives (CNSAS) PhD Constantin Buchet, the Vice-Rector of the University of Bucharest, Professor Ph.D. Magdalena Iordache-Platis, the Executive President of the Institute for the Investigation of the Crimes of Communism and the Memory of the Romanian Exile (IICCMER), Professor Ph.D. Florin - Daniel Sandru. IICCMER expert Victor Sămărtinean moderated the event.

Source: Gov