The United Nations Regional Information Centre, Human Rights Regional Office for Europe and the Norwegian Embassy invited you to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with a screening of: ‘Moldovan Miracle‘.
Before Norwegian optometrist Hans Bjørn Bakketeig visited Moldova in 2001, it was common practice to simply hide visually impaired children away and leave them to their fate. He moved to the country, took up residence in a hotel room, and has since treated more than 10,000 people. The camera follows Hans Bjørn and his irrepressible assistant Tatjana during his consultations and as they journey across the countryside, where people are often too poor to afford glasses. While the duo struggles to expand their clinic, political chaos reigns in the country. Despite the strain on his patience, Bakketeig continues to contact new politicians. After all, no one else will do it: he’s still the only optometrist in the country.
For more on the film click here.
The film was followed by a panel discussion with special guests including:
- Hans Bjorn – Star of ‘Moldovan Miracle‘
- Ludmila Tiganu – Communicatoins Specialist UNDP
- Claude Cahn – Human Rights Adviser Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
- Moderated by Carlos Jiminez – UNRIC