State Consolidation and National Identity

Book excerpt: This publication contains the proceedings of an international seminar, held in Moldova in July 2003 and organised by the European Commission for Democracy through Law (also known as the Venice Commission). The seminar considered approaches to the establishment of a multi-ethnic state where the interests of different minorities are taken into account without compromising the unity of the country, and and on the different challenges that democracies, both new and well established, will have to face in the twenty-first century. Topics discussed include federalism, autonomy and linguistic diversity.