The synagogue in Făgăraș has remained an unused building since 1987, following the reduction of the number of Jews in the community. The Făgăraș Community Foundation (FCTF) together with the Insitute, contacted the Federation of Romanian Jewish Communities (FCER) in 2017 and opened the discussion in order to use the Synagogue building for cultural activities. During the years 2018-2019, several discussions took place with the representatives of FCER and of the Făgăraș City Hall.
In 2019, it was decided that the administration of the Synagogue building would be the responsibility of the City Hall Făgăraș Municipality through an administration contract.
The goal agreed with FCER is the development of an International Cultural Center.
TEAM
Maria Chirilă
Mihai Racu, Ph.D.
Ștefan Cibian, Ph.D.
Maria Chirilă
Ana-Maria is Assistant Manager at the Făgăraș Research Institute. Also, she is a student at the Department for Biotechnical Systems Engineering, Faculty for Environmental Protection, University of Oradea. Ana-Maria considers that community engagement is an important part of one’s lifestyle, therefore, she is supporting the activity of the Țara Făgărașului Community Foundation and is a member of Carpati.org. Ana-Maria believes that what others do, and their actions, influence us all, therefore it is important that we create and collaborate, as we are sharing life experiences every day. Ana-Maria is passionate about exploring new places and sports, such as endurance biking, swimming, hiking, and gastronomy.
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Mihai Racu, Ph.D.
Dr. Mihai Racu is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca and Vice-president at the Romanian Architects’ Union Cluj Chapter. He is an architect and urban planner concerned with the sustainable development of the built environment. Since 2012 he’s been teaching at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. He presented his PhD thesis concerning the coherence of recent Romanian urban developments analysed using digital methods in 2015. He published several articles that look at the particularities of urban sprawl in local contexts.
Ștefan Cibian, Ph.D.
Dr. Ștefan Cibian is a member of the Board and the executive director of the Făgăraș Research Institute. Stefan is an Academy Associate with Chatham House – The Royal Institute of International Affairs, he is also teaching courses related to international development at Babeș-Bolyai University and manages Cibian Consulting S.R.L.
In what concerns teaching and research, Stefan is focused on development and statehood in Sub-Saharan Africa, development policy, development assistance, international organizations, migration, and human rights.
Stefan’s core interest in research is focused on international development, community development, Africa-EU relations, development policy, international relations theory, peacebuilding and fragile states, the link between research, policy, and practice, higher education policy and global affairs, including the EU. In terms of geographic focus, Stefan is primarily concerned with Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, the European Union, and transatlantic relations.
In his consulting and civil society work, Stefan is focusing on civil society development in CEE, contributing to the development of civil society organizations. Stefan is the President of FOND, the Romanian NGDO Platform, the Treasurer of CONCORD – the European NGO Confederation for Humanitarian Aid and Development. He is also a board member for the following organizations: ARCADIA – The Romanian Association for International Cooperation and Development, Țara Făgărașului Community Foundation (FCTF), UiPath Foundation, and the Foundation for Youth Involvement (FIT).
Stefan received his Ph.D. degree in political science and international relations (2012) as well as his M.A. in public policy (2006) from CEU – the Central European University. He also holds a BA in political science (2004, from Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania) and in law (2005, 1st of December 2019 University, Alba Iulia, Romania).
FRI PublicationsExpert CommentsNews and mass-mediaOther publicationsEvents
Central and Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa: Prospects for Sustained Re-engagement (Chatham House Research Paper, 2017)
Analyzing the European Development Fund: An English School Account of How Presumed Statehood Undermines (Development in) Sub-Saharan Africa (Ph.D. Thesis, Central European University, 2012)
