ASSEMBLY OF MOLDOVA HELSINKI CITIZENS ASSEMBLY COMBAT HATE IN INTERNET About international Helsinki Citizens Assembly The collapse of the Berlin Wall and the new global political context this created gave rise to a new peace movement called the "Helsinki Citizens' Assembly". From October 19th to 22nd 1990, peace activists from all parts of Europe (chaired by Vaclav Havel, then president of Czechoslovakia) held a meeting. They agreed on the "Prague Appeal" and founded the HCA as a permanent forum, within which peace and civic groups, as well as individuals and institutions representing a broad spectrum of views, could exchange experiences, discuss common concerns and formulate joint campaigns and strategies. "Ordinary" citizens (and not politicians!), who share a commitment to peace, democracy and human rights, are taking stepsto promote the integration of Europe from below and to strengthen European civil society. Statement of Mient Jan Faber, political director of HCA during the founding session: Our presence here as members of the social part of civil society, shows what Europe needs: we need cross-relations between people of different professions and opinions, between church-related bodies, environmental movements, trade unions, political parties, human and civil rights organizations, peace movements, cultural clubs, etc. Together we want to assume responsibility for a process of European of integration that will be characterized by justice, peace and integrity. The social stratum of civil society must be strengthened within nations and throughout Europe, and made capable to cope with the huge problems that accompany the process of European integration. This is the one of the central questions to be discussed at the Helsinki Citizen' Assembly. The goal of the HCA is to become a permanent forum for civil society from the so-called "Helsinki countries". A breeding place for new ideas and initiatives. A permanent address for exchange and policy making. However, the first priority of the HCA is not to answer the question of how to solve this or that particular problem. If that were all, we could easily feel quite powerless. Either because we can not find the answer, or because there is no one who is willing to implement our answer. No, the first priority of the HCA is civil society itself, in other words, our own participation in citizens' initiatives all over Europe. Since this historic event, the HCA has developed into a network of non-governmental organizations that has a presence in most countries of Europe (Armenia, Azerbaijan, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Moldavia, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Turkey, Ukraine as well as most republics of the former Yugoslavia) and counts around 10.000 members. As an international organization it works with decision-makers and "ordinary" citizens to provide a forum where every individual can present his or her concerns and opinions. The common goal of all member committees is to establish links between individuals and organizations from different countries, to help citizens participate actively in democratic institutions, and to promote peaceful and productive dialogue on all levels.