The picture of the week

Universitatea de Stat „Alecu Russo” din Bălți, Moldova

Ludmila Sirbu, UNFPA, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

2026-06-24

 

For four years already, the last bell is not only for students and college students, but also for seniors who choose to return to university benches at the Third Age University.

With academic robes, flowers and emotions, 40 seniors from the north of the country graduated from UV3 at USARB - Universitatea de Stat „Alecu Russo” din Bălți demonstrating that aging doesn't mean withdrawing from social life, but a conscious choice to stay active, involved and connected.

More and more seniors in the Republic of Moldova are choosing to age actively and healthily - to learn new things, develop their digital skills, socialize and remain part of the community, even at 70 or 90 years old. And this involvement means even more economic autonomy, confidence and active participation in the life of the community.

In less than 15 years, almost 30% of the population of the Republic of Moldova will be over 60 years old. In this context, investments in active ageing and human capital development at all ages become essential for the demographic and economic resilience of the country.

Through this program, UNFPA contributes to building a society in which aging is lived with dignity, autonomy, and participation, and elderly are valued, supported to stay active, and continue to contribute to economic and social life.