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17/12/08

Dimitar Karpachev - district coordinator for MGERB- Pazardjik and Dobroslav Dimitrov - organizational secretary of MGERB- Entrepreneurs participated in an international training in the field of: Campaign management for center-right parties from central and south-eastern Europe, organized by International Republican Institute (IRI) and with the financial support by the National fund of democracy and the American agency for international development. The event took place in Bucharest, Romania from 12 to 15 December 2008. 18 young activists from center-right parties from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, FYROM, Czech republic, Serbia and Slovenia took part in it.

Prominent specialist in the sphere of political management like Jamie Fisfiss –president of Chariot- an organization which deals with research and development of the activity of world political leaders, heads of states, ministers and diplomats; Anna Matushkova- lector in the faculty of social sciences in Massarick University (Brno); Patrick Eagan- director of central and eastern Europe of international Republican Institute were some the lecturers.

The main topics discussed by the young representatives of the right-center political parties from the 9 former communist countries were: How to organize an election campaign- strategy and plan, SWOT analysis of the candidate, contact with voters, the role of public opinion in an political campaign, how to create a slogan of the campaign and communications with electors- right content and tone; using negative campaign and fighting back against one.

“We attended and unique training in which we were introduced to the rules and fine techniques of election campaigns” young GERB activists shared.

“From the worked analysis of the last president campaign in the USA and the last parliamentary campaign in Romania we realized how important it is to know the details of campaign management as well as guiding voters’ energy in the right direction” added GERB activists, determined to put in practice what they had learned as soon as possible.

MGERB - Sofia with champion at bowling tournament

15/12/08

MGERB Sofia took part in the Christmas bowling tournament, organized by the youth organization of political movement “SocialDemocrates” on 14th December 2008. 18 teams of political parties’ youth organizations (MDPS, LMA, BSM and others), non-government organizations and media participated.
MGERB Sofia, who were second last year, now took fourth position in the general ranking and second among political parties. BSM were the winners, but they played unfairly, just as they do in elections. One of their players, who was quite good in the game, turned out not to be a member of their organization. Second and third positions were for NGOs “ARGO” and “Institute for conflict resolution” respectively.
MGERB Sofia won another award except the fourth place - the prize for best player went to Mitya Atanassov, who scored the most points among more than 90 players.

MGERB with two ideas for Balkan youth partnership in its section of the Balkan forum of PP GERB

15/12/08

GERB’s youth organization - MGERB took part in the Balkan forum “Balkans: together on our way to our mutual European future”, which took place in Varna from 11 to 13 December. The image of Balkans without borders was presented to other youth organizations, members of the European People’s Party (EPP).
Two suggestions were given during the youth panel, whose moderators were Monika Panayotova - chairwoman of MGERB, Kalin Zahariev - member of National Executive Counsel (NEC) of MGERB, Pavel Hristov - district coordinator for MGERB Varna and Pavel Anastasov - member of MGERB Sofia.
The first one was to create a youth exchange program, whose target group will be young people (below the age of 31), who are members of Balkan parties from the EPP. The idea is representers of these parties to visit their neighbor countries and then meet again in Sofia in December 2009 for a Winter University. The aim is young people to get to know each other’s culture, values and opinions and to look at them from the perspective of their integration in the large European family, putting accent on what bring us closer, rather than what puts us apart.
The second suggestion was to create a “Right Balkan youth network”- internet portal, which will give information about the countries in the region, their history and culture. It will also be a place where young people can find details about their organizations’ activities, gather ideas and best practices from their colleagues from other countries.
Both suggestions were well accepted, which further motivated participants to give more ideas. Thus, completely spontaneously Dr. Milen Vrabevski - member of the commission for foreign affairs of GERB and member of NEC of Entrepreneurs GERB offered to support the execution of the annual meeting of young people from the Balkans under the aegis of Boyko Borisov in 2009 on the matter of: “My future in united Europe”. Mr. Nickolay Mladenov , Member of European parliament (MEP) offered to co-organize with MGERB and Mrs. Vessela Cherneva - member of the European Counsel of foreign affairs and program manager of the Center for liberal strategies, scholarship/ internship for two students in the field of European integration and foreign affairs.

Antonio Lopes: GERB won its place as a respected partner in the family of the European right parties

03/12/08

Delegation of 50 regional coordinators of PP GERB and MGERB from the whole country together with the chairman of the party Tsvetan Tsvetanov was on a visit in the European parliament in Brussels. The working visit in the European parliament was organized by the invitation of the members of the EP from PP GERB Rumyana Jeleva and Vladimir Urutchev. The delegation from GERB met the Secretary General of the EPP-ED group – Martin Kamp who informed them about the work of the parliament and the EPP-ED group. Mr. Kamp presented the main priorities of the Political manifesto of the parties of EPP.
The manifesto will be conclusively approved at the party congress in Warsaw in the beginning of the next year. Martin Kamp emphasized that the planned session of the Bureau of EPP-ED in the beginning of the next year in Sofia is a high evaluation for the successive policy of GERB and for the work of members of the EP from the party.
The chairman of PP GERB, the regional coordinators of the party and of the youth structures had a talk with the secretary general of EPP Antonio Lopes. At the meeting Lopes pointed out that GERB was no longer unknown party in the European right family and had won its place as a respected member with the last two elections, being a leading party. ‘The leader of the party Boyko Borisov is part of the decision making process at the highest level in Europe’, Lopes emphasized as he referred to Mr. Borisov participation in the summit meetings of EPP that take place before each session of the Council of the EU and where the position of the European right-wing on the agenda of the Council is discussed.
‘Your support is extremely important for Bulgaria and GERB’, the Chairman of GERB Tsvetan Tsvetanov said at the meeting with both European politicians. He paid special attention on the opportunity that the European rights are a guarantee for conducting fair European and general elections in Bulgaria, in order that eventual speculations and trade of votes be escaped.
‘For 12 years the European right-wing has had the largest parliamentary group in the EP and we hope that by the support of GERB this will continue forward’ Kamp and Lopes pointed out at their meetings with the regional coordinators of PP GERB and MGERB. It was paid attention to the youth initiatives, which according to the European politicians were inspired by the charm and spirit of the young people and at the same time were a serious corrective of the government.
The meetings of the PP GERB delegation went on with the presence at the session of the Committee on Regional development, at which Rumiana Jeleva presented position about the Mid-term review of the 2007-2013 financial framework of the European Union; Mrs. Jeleva was a draftswoman about the subject.

MGERB collects marks for our ministers

28/11/08

On Saturday 29.11.2008 MGERB held a national referendum to estimate the work of the ministers from the government of the three-party coalition.
In the beginning of the new political season the youth from GERB distributed school reports to the ministers in front of the Council of ministers as a part of the ‘Democratic exams for the Bulgarian government’ campaign. Now there were special inquiry forms where the citizens could have given their mark on how according to them the ministers worked. The subjects on which they were estimated were Corruption, Arbitrariness, Hypocrisy, Abuse of authority, Transparency, Responsibility, Fairness and Succession.
The reason for he young people to continue the initiative is the concluding decision of the European commission to deprive Bulgaria from 220 million euros on the adhesive PHARE program. According to the young politicians this is the way for the citizens to be heard. Their marks from the initiative were being collected during a week.
The MGERB campaign ‘Democratic exams for the Bulgarian government’ will continue till the conducting of the special or regular general elections. Then the marks of the people will be generalized and entered in a ‘diary’, which will be handed to Sergei Stanishev in the end of his mandate as a prime minister of the country.

Tsvetan Tsvetanov presented certificates to the participants in the “Political Academy” of MGERB

16/11/08

The chairman of PP GERB Tsvetan Tsvetanov presented certificates to the participants in the “Political Academy” of MGERB. In his speech in front of MGERB’s members he put a major accent at the role of young people in socio-political life. “The aim of the political academy we organized is to make you aware of you strong and weak sides, to make capable of reacting in critical situations and to be able to take the challenges of participating in political life”. Tsvetanov gave the invitation for a debate by BSP’s youth organization as an example and made it clear that GERB’s young politicians will behave accordingly, use hard facts and positivism, because GERB considers BSP to be an opponent and not an enemy.
“The policy of PP GERB is to invest in young people, so the idea of this training is to optimally prepare you, because you know that the party will pick its staff from your environment” added GERB’s chairman.
The “Political Academy” project was realized with the cooperation of “Hans Seidel” and “Konrad Adenauer” foundations. The award ceremony took place in Bulgarska Armia hotel on Sunday- 16.11.2008. All of the 48 participants from MGERB’s 28 regional structures successfully graduate the first “Political Academy” and were awarded a certificate. The “Political Academy” started in August in Veliko Tarnovo with the first summer university with a topic: “The Young voice in European Bulgaria”. The selection of the participants in the “Political Academy” started with a screening of CVs and then tests for personal characteristics were conducted by qualified psychologists and experts.
The five modules of training in the academy were: Self-awareness; The role of personality; Solving interpersonal conflicts; Media behavior and Principles for successful management. All training sessions were lead by independent experts and foreign lectures.

Boyko Borisov: "Colorful billboards are not the way we should hold policy"

15/11/08

“Our young people can also set billboards in a line from Sofia to the sea, on which the promised highways, at which only Stanishev looks by his heart, could be seen. They can also expose ‘Herald Tribune’ and ‘New York Times’ on billboards with the colorful pictures of Stanishev walking together with Mario Nikolov, prosecuted for the SAPARD affaire. They can do this but according to me it’s not at the level, on which politics should be conducted”. This was said in Ruse by Boyko Borisov, leader of GERB, at round table about the problems of security and public order. About the youth GERB he added ‘they can hold debates and do this. In August started their political academy and tomorrow they’ll receive certificates for the successful participation in the course of trainings’ Borisov said.

Tsvetan Tsvetanov will give certificates to the participants in the ‘Political academy’ of MGERB

14/11/08

The chairman of PP GERB Tsvetan Tsvetanov will give certificates to the participants in the ‘Political academy’ of the Youth organization of MGERB. The project is realized due to the assistance of ‘Hanns Seidel’ and ‘Konrad Adenauer’ foundations. The ceremony on the awards will take place at Bulgarian army hotel on Sunday – 16.11.2008 at 12.00. 48 representatives of the structures of MGERB from the 28 regions of the country finish the first ‘Political academy’. All the participants will receive certificates. We remind you that the ‘Political academy’ started in August in Veliko Tarnovo with the first summer university of MGERB on the topic: ‘The youth voice in European Bulgaria’.
In order to participate in the ‘Political academy’ the representatives from all the districts of the country were selected by CVs in advance and after that there were personality exams, created and checked by qualified psychologists and experts.
The aim of the political academy that MGERB organized is to train knowledge for the strong and weak features, skills for coping with critical situations and adequacy to the challenges facing the participation in the political life. The young politicians were trained by independent experts and foreign lecturers. The program included sessions for Personal identification, Training for the influence on the personality, Coping with problems between people, Media behavior and Principles of the successful government.

MGERB participated in an educational session in campaign management organized by IRI

27/10/08

An educational session in campaign management was conducted in 24-26 October 2008 in Antalia, Turkey. It was organized by International Republican Institute (IRI)- an American Non Governmental Organization (NGO), aiming to spread and support democracy worldwide. MGERB participated in the event.
The session lasted three day and the following took part: representers of right and centralist parties from Albania, Croatia, Serbia, Monte Negro, Macedonia, Turkey and Romania. The education was lead by members of IRI, right parties from Central Europe and more specifically- Christiandemocratic union from Netherlands, Austria’s People Party and a campaign specialist from Sweden. The participants got know general information about right politics around the world, information about conducting sociological surveys and then interpreting the results in a political context. Special attention was paid to political surveys and especially the ones relating to election campaigns.
Several simulation games aiming to introduce young people to the actual organization of a campaign, creating the campaign strategy, involving volunteers, direct contact with voters and motivating people to participate ere played.

The executive body of MGERB was on a work visit in Berlin on the invitation of ‘Konrad Adenauer’ Foundation

06/11/08

The members of the executive body of MGERB visited the German capital – Berlin on the invitation of ‘Konrad Adenauer’ Foundation. There they visited the Bundestag and the German Chancellor house, as well as the head office of Konrad Adenauer foundation and Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

There they had the opportunity to meet with Oliver Borowi – vice-president of ‘Parliamentary law’ department in the Bundestag, Kai Wahlen – responsible for youth issues in the Bundestag, Antonius Halbe – foreign policy advisor of the parliamentary group of CDU/CSU and with representatives of the German chancellor house with whom they discussed a number of problems and methods of work in Germany, which could be incorporated in the Bulgarian practice. The representatives of MGERB met with Norman Beckman-Dierkes, chairman of the ‘Middle and East Europe’ department of Konrad Adenauer foundation. With him they discussed the activity of the foundation around the world and especially in Bulgaria, as well as the political situation in our country. The conversation emphasized on the right values and the role of young people in Bulgaria, particularly in the activity of the party. Beckman-Dirkes was assured about the future of our country after the conversation with MGERB in which they said that PP GERB invested in young people and supported the realization of their initiatives. The political academy of PP GERB, established by the suggestion of MGERB, was welcomed by all partners, as well as the fact that the young voice in European Bulgaria had its response in the activity of the party.

Monika Panayotova, chairwoman of the youth organization of PP GERB presented the work of MGERB at national level, which caused many positive reactions and met a great approval. Our foreign-policy partners were assured in PP GERB’s intention to emphasize on experts and specialists in the future government of Bulgaria, so that the image of Bulgarian institutions could be restored and that people could return their trust in them at both – national and international level.

MGERB held also meetings with both youth organizations of CSU the student organization and the youth union of CDU, where they exchanged a number of good practices of work with young people in both countries.

Antonius Halbe, councilor of foreign affaires of CDU/CSU political group on a work meeting with NEC of MGERB

30/10/08

“I am sorry that there is no clause in Lisbon Treaty, that expels countries like Bulgaria from EU, which do not observe their obligations to the Union”, that was said yesterday by Antonius Halbe, councilor of foreign affaires about the European issues of CDU/CSU political group, during a work meeting with the executive body of MGERB.
Supporting Bulgaria at the time of its joining to the EU, the disappointment of what is happening in our country at the moment urges Mr. Halbe, as well as a number of his colleagues across Europe, to regret that there are no clauses for expelling member countries, which do not observe their obligations to the Union and characterizing with high levels of corruption, from EU. Commenting upon the situation in our country, stopped resources on euro funds side, he concluded: “This isn't Europe. We rely very much on the young people in Bulgaria and that they will work and contribute to change the way of thinking in the country and building a new European type of political culture, through which they will bring back the confidence in their country”.
Dr. von Below expressed the big expectations and passed vote of confidence, which PP GERB has in Bulgaria about realizing this change. During the period November 28-31, NEC of MGERB is on a work visit in Berlin at the invitation of “Konrad Adenauer” Foundation's representative for Bulgaria – Dr. Andreas von Below.
The program included also meetings with representatives of the German Bundestag, CDU/CSU, the Academy of “Konrad Adenauer” Foundation, as well as representatives of youth European, and in particular right-orientated organizations.

MGERB held a media training

27/10/08

The youth organization of MGERB held a media training within the framework of so called „Political Academy“.

The participants are a group of 45 young people, representatives from all regions in the country, who were selected in advance, according to their CVs and after that personality tests were held, which were made out and checked by highly skilled psychologists and experts.

The Political Academy of PP GERB started in August this year, in Veliko Tarnovo by organizing the first summer university of MGERB called: „The young voice in European Bulgaria“.

„The purpose of the political academy, which we've organized, is to train you to be aware of your strong and weak features, to know how to react in critical situations and how to be adequate to the challenges of the political life”, this was said by Monika Panayotova, chairwoman of MGERB.

The young politicians were trained in several panels – “Media presence – theory and practice” and “Political rhetoric”. The first panel included the formal and informal contacts with the media, how press conferences were organized and what was the news in a certain event. The young people learned how the political debates and interviews were conducted and how the political messages should sound in front of different audiences.

The academy is supported by “Hanns Seidel” and “Konrad Adenauer” foundations.

The executive bodies of PP GERB and MGERB met with representatives of the Marshall Memorial Fellowship Program

21/10/08

Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Chairman of PP GERB, Radoslav Totchev, International secretary of PP GERB, Monika Panayotova – Chairwoman of MGERB and Hristo Gadzhev, international secretary of MGERB welcomed in the central office of the party five representatives of the Marshall Memorial Fellowship program Ms. Lesil McGuire, senator, Alaska, Mark Meder - vice-president of the Federal reserve, Cleveland who are on a visit in Bulgaria in order to get acquainted with the Bulgarian political and social situation.

The Marshall Memorial Fellowship program was established in 1982 by ‘German-Marshall Fund – USA’ Foundation with the aim to inform the new west European generation of leaders about USA, its institutions, politics and people. The program encourages development of the transatlantic relations as in the beginning it included mainly young political leaders and representatives of the media from Germany, Denmark, France and Netherlands. For the years the program has included more states and at the moment there are participants from Bulgaria, Check Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain.
In 1999 the German Marshall Fund introduced an American component of the program that aims to inform the new generation of American leaders about the European situation, transatlantic partnership and global challenges in front of the states from both sides of the ocean.

Among the subjects of the discussion were the political situation in Bulgaria, the place of PP GERB on the political scene at local and European level, the apathy of the young people about politics, the negative image of the country, based on the high levels of corruption and crime that reflected in the recently published articles of ‘Herald Tribune’ and ‘New York Times’. Mr. Tsvetanov emphasized on the ambition of PP GERB to be a distinct alternative of the current situation in the country, an alternative that could be impossible without the support of our Atlantic and European partners.

B. Borisov to MGERB: Take every single opportunity to prepare yourself, because we'll need you

16/10/08

This declared the leader of GERB Mr. Boyko Borisov in MGERBs presence, who were on training in Brussels at the invitation of the bulgarian deputies from GERB/EPP-ED group at the European Parliament – Nikolay Mladenov and Vladimir Urutchev. In spite of his full programme, on the occasion of EPP summit meeting, Mr. Borisov visited the young people from GERB at the time of their training. He told them about his meetings with the leaders of the european „Right“ during the day and about the problems they had discussed. „There are preparations for the world financial crisis everywhere in Europe, only our Government explains us that there will be no problem. It's like everybody building up reserves for the winter and only Stanishev explaining that the summer is coming“, commented Borisov. „Take every single opportunity to prepare yourself, because GERB will need you and your energy. Don't forget that you have to be ready for a very hard battle with the ruling, because it's a matter of life and dead for them, because they know that when we come to rule we'll expose all of their shady affairs“ he also told the young people.

Before that, at the first day of their visit, the young people of GERB visited the building of the European Parliament, where they were welcomed by Mr. Nikolay Mladenov. There they met with the chairwoman of GERB group in EPP-ED Mrs. Rumiana Zheleva, who expounded the way of work and the interactions inside the group of EPP-ED. She explained the young people in details the methods of elaborations of positions and decisions of the biggest group in the European Parliament, as well as the coordination with the other structures and representatives of EPP in Europe. They also attended the plenary session of small and medium business in Europe, conducting at this very time.

The young people had also several meetings with Vladimir Urutchev and Nikolay Mladenov, on which were discussed different topics such as energetics, consumer rights protection and many others. Meetings with representatives from the permanent delegation of Bulgaria in EU, from the Directorate – General for ‘Consumer rights’, as well as visit of the European Consumer Centre – Belgium are coming.

Young people from MGERB on training for consumer rights

13/10/08

Nikolay Mladenov and Vladimir Urutchev, members of the EPP-ED (GERB) group donate young people with 10 000 school aids.

From 14 to 18 October there will be 28 representatives of MGERB on training in Brussels, due to the invitation of Nikolay Mladenov (EPP-ED/GERB). The youth will have the opportunity to be informed about the policy of the EU in the field of consumer protection. The visit is a second stage of the training on the project ‘European diary’, which the MEP organized in Ruse in October. The group will participate in meetings and discussions that will help them in learning about European institutions, as well as to meet with representatives from the Directorate – General for Health and Consumers of the European Commission, the European Consumer Centre and the Council of the European Union. The youth will also have a meeting with the Chairwoman of the GERB delegation in EPP-ED, Mrs. Rumyana Zheleva.

‘By this visit I hope that we will strengthen the interest of the young people about consumer rights. After all, we are all consumers, but in Bulgaria we are not aware about the rights that European legislation gives us. Informing the young people about their rights, they will be able to train their coevals all over the country’, Mladenov said.

The members of the European parliament from GERB Nikolay Mladenov and Vladimir Urutchev paid for the special printing of 10 000 copies in Bulgarian of the ‘European diary’ – publication of the European commission that aims to inform young people about the EU and consumer rights. During the next months the young people from GERB will organize its distribution among schools in the whole country.

The section about ‘Political culture’ of the Political academy of PP GERB ended

12/10/08


During two days 11 – 12 October 2008 the 45 participants of the Political academy of GERB enlarged their knowledge about the influence of the political situation in the German speaking counties over the rest of the countries in the EU.
As a final stage of the training and as a practical application of the knowledge they had acquired, during almost a day the young people played a simulative game of holding general elections. For this goal they had the night before in order to establish their parties, to write political programs and compose a platform for the election.
The role of the Central electoral commission was performed by the lecturers of the training Dr. Bogdan Mirchev, reader at Sofia university ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’, former general consul in Munich, Mr. Radoslav Totchev, International secretary of PP GERB and Monika Panayotova, Chairwoman of MGERB.
As before, the Political academy of PP GERB was held by the kind assistance of ‘Hanns Seidel’ foundation and its representative for Bulgaria – Mr. Bogdan Mirchev.
The next section of the program is on the topic ‘Media’ and will be held in the end of October.

Young people from East Bulgaria had training for leadership on initiative of Rumyana Jeleva

02/10/08

Young people from GERB organizations in Burgas, Varna, Yambol and Sliven learned how to be good managers in teams and projects. On Sunday in Burgas they participated in a seminar for leadership among adolescents and its putting into real work. The forum was organized by the MEP Rumyana Jeleva. Albena Taneva doctor of politology was invited as a lecturer.
According to Rumyana Jeleva we should stimulate such kind of skills among youth, because they are basic for the successful realization at the difficult labor market in Europe. Work in team is very important and there isn’t such kind of exercises at the Bulgarian schools.
The discussion indicated the basic knowledge of the youth about leadership. According to Albena Taneva today we often meet adolescents that have enough strength to be leaders, but are passive about their own abilities. She added that this was the main goal of the forum – how young people should apply effectively their leadership in different situations.
The organizers concluded that the games with situations from our daily life as an example, by which the young people practiced their values as leaders through their own experience, were the advantage for them.

Nickolay Mladenov and Vladimir Uruchev held a national training for MGERB

29/09/08

The national training ‘What I know for the EU and my rights as a consumer’ finished. It was organized this weekend in Ruse by the assistance of GERB – Ruse, on the initiative and with the participation of the members of the European parliament Nikolay Mladenov and Vladimir Uruchev.
It lasted two days and 65 members of the youth organization of GERB from the whole country participated in it, together with their Chairwoman Monika Panayotova.
Lecturers of the training were Daniela Penkova, Petar Nacev, Georgi Yanakiev – assistants of Nickolay Mladenov at the office in Brussels, Angelina Toteva – assistant from the office of Vladimir Uruchev, Reneta Rashkova – director of the Information centre of EPP in Ruse and Tsvetan Hristov – director of the Commission for consumer protection – Ruse.
On the first day, the participants got acquainted with main facts about the history and development of the EU from its establishment till now, with its institution and their powers. The accent was put on the European parliament, its internal organization of work and the interaction between its commissions.
The parliamentary group of the EPP was presented in detail together with the contribution of the Bulgarian delegation to its work.
The program finished with interactive training game, in which the young people, divided in teams, competed in answering questions about: Institutions of EU; Procedures for taking decisions; Symbols; Enlargement of EU; History of the European idea; Policies of EU.
On Sunday the training continued with presentation of the mechanisms by which the contact between the MEPs from GERB with voters was realized. The participants were informed about the way eurodeputies from GERB accomplish the election engagements. In this regard was presented the network of Information centers, created during the first year of their mandate in 8 towns – Ruse, Gabrovo, Burgas, Varna, Pazardzhik, Smolyan, Vratsa, Sofia. It was explained about their mission, goals as well as the particular activity. The youth leaned also that except for by their offices in Bulgaria, the MEPs from GERB got in contact with the voters also by their own personal websites and blogs.
The second main subject of the training was more interesting and provoked more questions. It was about consumer rights. In this regard, the legal basis for consumer protection in the aspect of the internal market was presented to the youth. They were informed in detail about the European diary – student edition of the European commission, focused on the young consumers with basic information about their rights and useful advice.
Except for raising the awareness of the members of MGERB about European Union and the work of the Bulgarian delegation in EPP, the seminar also succeeded in explaining the European policy for consumer protection – one of the most important EU policies. This was proved by the results of the test that took place at the end of the training. It showed how the participants in the training had acquired the new knowledge.

Traditions and development, shared by MGERB

23/09/08


In honour of 22 september 2008 and celebrating 100 years of the Bulgarian independence, Monika Panayotova, Chairwoman of MGERB and Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Chairman of GERB together with young people from all the country put a wreath on the monument of the unknown soldier. After that they headed for the hall for the closing part of the second session of the political academy that started in the end of August.


45 representatives of the youth organization of the party from all te regions were being trained during 3 days in rhetorics and conducting political debates. Lecturers of the training were Mr. Gotfrid Linn – representative of ‘Konrad Adenauer’ Foundation and Dr. Todor Chobanov. The political academy happens due to the assistance of Hanns Seidel Foundation and Mr. Bogdan Mirchev – representative of the Foundation for Bulgaria.




On the closure of the session that took place yesterday in Central Park hotel was also Mr.Tsvetan Tsvetanov who received festive badges, made by the youth organization from Vratsa especially for the day of 100 years of Independence. He emphasized that he was unusually contented by the way young people were selected and remarked that the knowledge received during the political academy would be of great importance, because exactly from those participating in it, would have to enter in the future lists for general and European elections. The foreign guest pointed out that after those three days spent with youth from GERB, he was positive about the future of the party. The Bulgarian lecturers replied that according to them, they were sure about the future of our country.

The next training as a part of the academy will be on the topic: political culture and will take place in October.

MGERB continues political academy of PP GERB

21/09/08

In the period 20-22 September 2008 the Youth organization of PP GERB holds the second round of trainings as a part of the Political Academy of PP GERB on ‘Rhetorics and conducting negotiations’, kindly financed by ‘Hanns Seidel’ Foundation, Blgaria.

The training was opened on 20 September 2008 at 9.00 by Monika Panayotova, Chairwoman of MGERB and Dr. Gotfrid Linn – lecturer of ‘Konrad Adenauer’ Foundation from Germany and Dr. Todor Chobanov.

Among the main subjects in the training are: rules of political rhetorics, public speaking, political debates, discussions.

On Monday in Central Park Hotel at 13.00 the training will be closed by Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov, chairman of PP GERB, Mr. Radoslav Tochev, international secretary of PP GERB and Mr. Bogdan Mirchev, representative of ‘Hanns Seidel’ Foundation for Bulgaria.

M.Panayotova: On corruption and irresponsibility the Cabinet has an excellent mark

16/09/08

Monika Panayotova is only 24 years old, but is already leader of the youth in GERB. She held this post from this year and she is filled with enthusiasm and will for work and changes. She graduated international relations at UNWE, speaks French and English and has a working knowledge of Spanish. She likes travelling, Celine Dion and her favourite film is ‘Brave heart’.


- Was it some kind of a surprise for you the start of the new political season? Will the expectations for ‘hot’ autumn and winter come true?
- Unfortunately I was not surprised, because after the report of the European Commission in July, neither the behaviour, nor the manners of the ruling centre and mostly of the prime minister changed. The start of the political season was marked by promises reposes for a small part of the pensioners, with black PR and attacks against our leader and party. I don’t think that this is what citizens expect, so I’m happy for the fact that our party follows an European model of behaviour, based on the facts and transparence together with you – the media and with the participation of the citizens, although this is so difficult for us in the current situation. Both campaigns that we started in EPP format, as well as this one with young people for so called ‘Democratic exams’ aim exactly to show the opinion of people. Yes, unfortunately, we expect really ‘hot’ but not cosy autumn and winter, unless the rulers surprise us positively.

- How the youth GERB will warm up the situation?
- I wouldn’t like people to remain with the impression that we warm up the situation. Unfortunately, it is hot enough and the current policy of the government keeps ceaselessly the fire. What we strive for with young people is to give people an opportunity to express in a delicate way their discontent of the situation in the country. As an organization that started its growth first as a civil association and after that developed into political, we have always been part of the active civil society, which when face mistakes has the awareness and will to notice them

- You gave student books to the ministers or more exactly to some of the ministers from the cabinet. It was the idea of the initiative that the ministers have no right to make more mistakes, order-remarks and poor marks. At the same time the subjects on which you examine them are: ‘Corruption’, ‘Irresponsibility’, ‘Hypocrisy’, ‘Abuse of authority’, ‘Transparence’, ‘Responsibility’, ‘Justice’ and ‘Succession’. Yet, those ‘students’ have already been for three years at the school of government. How do these students from the cabinet perform so far?
- The idea of the initiative focuses in conducting a local referendum each month that young people will organize in the constituency from which the relevant minister is elected. By this way the mark that the minister will receive would be of great importance from the people, who voted for them and with whom, being elected and coming in Sofia, they lose real contact. In regard of this in the end of the month in all regions there will be spread inquiries in the form of student books, in which citizens could estimate the work of the government on the mentioned subjects from poor to excellent. We have also created a group in facebook where young people can expose their opinion, as they’re every day informed about the activity of the ‘students’, expressed in the media. That’s why on the last page of the student books it was marked for the ministers – ‘no right for correction’ or what we very well realize in GERB is that the Council of ministers is not a school. Although at some extent it is turned into a school by the government, it is a place where all have to be well prepared as experts and also with clear sense of responsibility for the voters and for the political party, from which they are suggested.

- Who are the excellent and poor students? What kind of ‘student’ is the leader in the class – Sergei Stanishev?
- Counting about 500 000 filled orders for dismissal of the government, headed by the leader in the class, what kind of student do you think he is, and when the class is ruled by him we could hardly have higher result?! Actually on corruption, irresponsibility and abuse of authority he has, I could say excellent results, but on responsibility and transparence definitely not.

- They all however have the desire to ‘repeat’ school, namely to receive another mandate. How will you fight with those wanting to repeat?
- Exactly because we suppose that they would like to repeat, we expressly emphasized ‘no right for correction’. (smile) One of the most important aspects of this school is the training for democracy. As a right party, one of our main values and leading principle is the liberal democracy – liberal because it exists in accordance to the law and democracy, or namely in accordance with citizens.

- As parent in the student books of the adult students you wrote Ahmed Dogan as the mandate was given to him. How does he perform as a parent?
- Definitely he is a guardian.


- Why financier №1 Plamen Oresharski was so angry on your joke? He commented that he didn’t need student book, because his student years had passed long ago.
- Maybe he doesn’t have sense of humour or simply he realizes the importance of the problem, although presented in a delicate and playful way and that’s why he automatically took a defensive position. We weren’t angry on him.

- At the same time GERB started also a protest subscription campaign that is an order for dismissal of the government of the three-party coalition. The campaign is under the title – ‘I am european’. How is going the collecting of signatures so far and what are the expectations?
- The signatures are multiplying by hours and this shows that the citizens are really not contented and I’m happy that they share this. There are also members of BSP among those who are signing and this means that the subscription reflects correctly the opinion of the citizens for the situation in the country, but not the opinion of some parties. I want very much to see more active citizens with clear position so that each government to have a permanent civil control.

- Would you watch in this critical way the activity of your party if it wins the elections or you’ll be indulgent?
- We are definitely as very critical, also very self-critical. The good thing in our party is that we can express freely our opinion, to give suggestions which are not treated as something of small importance or uncomfortable truth, but are considered. This is a clear example that we are a party in progress and party with principles. Another example confirming this position are the moral declarations that were signed by our nominees for the local elections and on whose base some of them are not already with us.

- As youth from GERB do you have any contacts with other young people from the right-wing?
- Yes, we have in the aspect of the big family of the European People’s Party and the centre-right European student field.

- Do you know young left people? They also describe themselves as Europeans. Do they have grounds to claim this?
- Personally I don’t know representatives of young lefts. My impression for them is based on what they demonstrate as behaviour, negative messages and continuous black PR against our leader. I suppose that there are also young people in BSP who are not so bitter but unfortunately the party uses them in this negative way and instead of spending so much on the Internet site of our leader, on negative initiatives and parties, to invest in their development. I’m happy that the energy and abilities of the youth in GERB is accumulating in training seminars, research and civil initiatives with positive message that express our values – tolerance, responsibility, family, freedom and liberal democracy. The fact that they define themselves as Europeans is very good, now however they have to behave as Europeans, because after our acceptance in the EU we are all European citizens, but the identification – European requires a definite type of behaviour and thinking.

MGERB started Political academy

30/08/08


The youth organization of PP GERB started first round of trainings that will be in five sections in the context of the so called Political academy of PP GERB. There is a group of 45 participants – young people representing all the regions in the country, who were selected in advance on CV and after that submitted to tests, made and evaluated by qualified psychologists and experts.
Political academy of PP GERB started in August this year in Veliko Tarnovo with the first summer university of GERB on the topic: Young voice in European Bulgaria.
Today it was officially opened by the chairman of PP GERB Tsvetan Tsvetanov and the representative of ‘Hanns Seidel’ foundation for Bulgaria – Bogdan Mirchev. In his address to the young people Mr. Tsvetanov emphasized on the role of young people in the socio-political life. ‘The aim of the political academy, that we organized, is to train you in order to recognize your strong and weak points, to be able to react in critical situations and to be adequate at the challenges that you face while participating in the political life. The policy of PP GERB is an investment in young people, so that the idea of this training is to prepare you in a best way, because as you know the party will select forward its personnel among you.

‘Democratic exams for the Bulgarian government’ – national campaign of MGERB

28/08/08


In the beginning of the new political season, MGERB started national campaign ‘Democratic exams for the Bulgarian government’. During this national campaign active members of MGERB, members and sympathizers of GERB as well as all Bulgarian citizens will put marks about the Bulgarian government’s work.

The main subjects that will be rated are: corruption, abuse of authority, arbitrariness, hypocrisy, transparency, responsibility, fairness and succession.

To express its evaluation MGERB made real student’s books for all the ministers and the premier. In the space for ‘parent’ youngsters wrote the name of Ahmed Dogan because the mandate for forming a government was given to MRF. The European Union is written in the space for ‘principal’, because the Union gives the marks for the work of government. The electoral commission is formed by all Bulgarian citizens.

There is a label sticked in the space for term, yearly marks and for supplementary exams, on which together with the logo of MGERB is written ‘No right for correction’
In the books can be written marks for incompetence, unprofessionalism and lack of adequacy of governing.

Citizens could also write unexcused absences for the members of the Cabinet for their lack of touch with the current problems in Bulgaria – e.g. the permanent absence of minster Emel Etem from the areas, hit by crisis and natural disasters.

Young people of GERB will formulate and add to the list with supplementary subjects, according to the current blunders of the Bulgarian government that continuously face our society.

The aim of this campaign is to express unambiguously and clearly the opinion of the young people in Bulgaria and all Bulgarian people for the work of the Bulgarian government. Everyone who wants to express opinion and give mark can address to the national and local structures of MGERB.

‘Young voice in European Bulgaria’ – national initiative of MGERB

15/08/08





The youth organization of PP GERB (MGERB) with the kind assistance of ‘Hanns Seidel’ foundation organized Summer university on the topic: Youth voice in European Bulgaria. The event took place in Veliko Tarnovo in the period of 14-17 August 2008 in Interhotel Veliko Tarnovo.

The participants in the Summer university of MGERB, which we hope will become tradition of our organization, were selected by one representative of the regional executive councils and one representative of the regional organization of MGERB.

‘The aim of the Summer university of MGERB is to contribute by interactive sessions and exchange of experience and ideas for new knowledge, skills and good practices, connected with political culture, campaign management and the successful activity of organizations’ told the Chairwoman of MGERB Monika Panayotova in her address to the participants. The opening was attended by the Chairman of GERB Tsvetan Tsvetanov and the International secretary Radoslav Tochev. ‘You are the capital of GERB, you’re those who will govern, you are future deputies and ministers’, said the Chairman of GERB Tsvetan Tsvetanov to the participants. Tsvetanov emphasized on the necessity of succession in the structure of the party and also the need for the Youth organization to exist actively. The project ‘Summer university’ is a basis, on which the bank of young successful personnel of PP GERB will develop.

After the formal opening, the Summer university started with the first lecture – ‘Electoral systems and campaign management’. Lecturer in this session was Mrs. Iskra Fidosova – member of the EC of PP GERB. The seminar took place till 17-th August. The young politicians listened for Campaign management – good European practices, in the aspect of the Bulgarian situation, lecturer Bogdan Mirchev – Director of ‘Hanns Seidel’ Foundation for Bulgaria, for ‘How the reforms are conducted in Freance. Theory and practice of the process of reforms’ – lecturer Raphael del Rey – expert from the French people’s party. The summer academy presented also lectures on: Main right principles and values and their promotion at the time of campaign – lecturer Radoslav Tochev – International secretary of PP GERB. It was also organized a session about the way we can be effective in communication, in which Rumyana Bachvarova – Executive manager of sociological agency ‘Market links’ was lecturer. There was also a lecture ‘Psychology of influence’ by Prof. Rumen Stamatov – Vice-dean in Plovdiv University ‘Paisii Hilendarski’.

MGERB received an observer status in the organization of the European Democrat Students (EDS)

18/07/08

The nice impressions of the leaders of the European Democrat Students after their visit in June 2008 in Bulgaria, gave opportunity for the Youth organization of PP GERB to apply for observer membership and after a year for full membership in EDS. During the Summer University of EDS that took place on 15-20 July in Malta and in which Monika Panayotova – Chairwoman of MGERB and Hristo Gadzhev – International secretary of MGERB participated, the application letter for membership of the Youth organization of PP GERB in the biggest right-oriented student organization in Europe was considered. After presentation of the organization, made by the Chairwoman of MGERB Monika Panayotova in which she declared the strong desire of MGERB for work in the right student field in Europe and particularly on the Balkans and if she had to describe the Youth organization by three main points, they would be – sharp mind and new ideas, energy and synergy; work and real activity, 29 delegats – representatives of different youth and student organization of leading right parties in Europe voted unanimously so that MGERB to receive an observer status. Along with the voting about the status of the candidat – organizations, elections for new president and vice-presidents of EDS were held. As a president of EDS was elected Thomas Uhlen from Germany and by his proposal the ex-president Ana Janine from Portugal received a status of honorary president.

MGERB – Sofia organized swimming contest ‘Fair play’

23/06/08

MGERB – Sofia organized on 22.06.2008 a swimming contest – ‘Fair play’. The event was in honour of 23 June – the International Olympic day and took place in ‘Balgarska armia’ swimming complex with the assistance of the National Sports association of the Ministry of Defence. In the contest participated representatives from all district organizations of PP GERB in Sofia, from MGERB and from Sofia City Council. The event had the aim to unite at higher extent those working in the different districts of Sofia, to express the priorities of MGERB in sport and to emphasize on values such as solidarity, tolerance, team spirit and fair play that contribute to our personal development and realization. First place in the contest for men was won by the representative from Bankya district – Boris Georgiev. In the contest for women the first place was for the representative from Vitosha district and youngest contestant – Evelina Ilieva and the second place was for the representative from the SCC – Teodora Tomova.

Right policy – one year after EU accession of Bulgaria and before the European elections 2009

16/06/08

International conference of European Democrat Student and MGERB in Bulgaria

During 11-15 June 2008 with the kind assistance of Konrad Adenauer Foundation – Sofia was held a four-day international conference of the Youth organization of PP GERB (MGERB) and the biggest student organization in Europe, the so called European Democrat Students (EDS).

The subject of the event, that took place in Plovdiv (11-14 June) and in Sofia (14-15 June) was: Right policy – one year after the accession of Bulgaria in EU and before the European Elections 2009. It was connected with the so called ‘Policy days’/ ‘Study trip’ of the European Student Democrat and had the aim to:

* at one side to get the participants acquainted with the challenges in front of the new right policy in Bulgaria, as well as to emphasize on the active participation that our country in the presence of MGERB could take in the student field on the Balkans.
* at the other side to get the participants (40 representatives of different European countries) acquainted with the challenges facing right policy from both sides of the Atlantic one year before the elections for European parliament.

After a short welcoming speech from the Chairwoman of EDS – Ana Janine, the Chairwoman of MGERB Monika Panayotova and the International secretary of PP GERB – Radoslav Tochev addressed to the guests from Germany, Austria, Portugal, France, Hungary, Poland, Cyprus, Norway, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, the program started with description of the challenges facing new right policy in Bulgaria. Rumyana Bachvarova, executive director of sociological agency ‘Market links’ pointed out that the main crisis, existing in Bulgaria, is the fact that we had many right voters and few effective parties, low electoral support, organizational weakness and lack of clear right cause. With regard to this she specified that at the moment only PP GERB was an exception and had right political program and 60% support of the right voters. After describing the challenges in front of the right-wing in Bulgaria and namely:

* lack of ideas
* necessity of new right youth policy
* necessity for the contemporary right policy to be oriented to the human resources
* building and restoring the political traditions of the right-wing
* creation of branch policy
* formulation of political theory
* applying much more policy, that is ‘right’

Mrs. Bachavarova concluded that the success of the Bulgarian right would be also success for the European right.

In order to inform the EDS about the Youth organization of PP GERB was made a presentation of MGERB, from its beginning, establishment till now.

In response to the above mentioned challenges the Chairwoman of MGERB Monika Panayotova and the International secretary Radoslav Tochev suggested to their colleagues from EDS setting up a Balkan European student net by presenting the idea of forming the so called ‘Balkan Erasmus’. The project aims by education and intercultural dialogue to start a process for overcoming the negative stereotypes and convictions, created by years between Balkan peoples. By the accent that Balkan peoples have more common that unite than divide the MGERB proposal consists of making two-week visits of 100 students with full scholarship in universities from the region. It was accepted by the representatives of EDS with clearly expressed desire for the idea to develop and be enlarged.

On the next day the participants had the opportunity to become acquainted with interactive analysis of the ‘American elections in the aspect of the coming European elections, as well as the ways of promoting right values’, made by Patrick Egan, Director of the International Republican Institute for Central and East Europe.

At the same time the program included presentation of our country, its treasures and cultural variety, counting the fact that 2008 was announced by the EU as a year of intercultural dialogue.

Arriving in Sofia the participants were welcomed in the Assembly hall of the Sofia City Council by Malina Edreva – chairwoman of the councilors group from PP GERB and Irina Yordanova - Chirwoman of the Commission for European integration in SCC. The European Democrat students had the opportunity to receive interesting answers and comments by the councillors and district mayors from GERB about local and European issues.

During the formal supper, by which the international conference ended, the leader of GERB and Mayor of Sofia Boyko Borisov greeted the young people.

As a result MGERB received the opportunity to apply for membership in EDS as soon as the conference was over, in order that the application be considered in July 2008 during the Summer university of the European Democrat Students in Malta.

The positive reports, addressed to the organizers, created basis for future common initiatives and cooperation with the participants, at the position of representatives of EDS, as well as those of their national youth organizations.

The conference was widely reflected in the local and national media.

‘Value for every child’ – initiative of MGERB

02/06/08

In honour of 1-st of June – International day of children, MGERB organized an initiative under the topic of ‘Value for every child’. The initiative aimed to emphasize on the responsibility and concern that we had to the future of Bulgaria – our children. For us, young people from PP GERB, the European democratic values – peace, justice, responsibility, security, respect, family and traditions must be leading in the attitude toward adolescents, as well as toward adults. For that purpose yesterday around the National Palace of Culture and in the South Park the youngsters gave thousands of messages, focusing on the idea that every day is holiday for children and every day they need our support and care.

Annual report for the activity of MGERB

May 2008

‘United in Diversity’ – national campaign of MGERB

26/05/08

In honour of 24-th May – day of Slavic alphabet and culture, and the year 2008, announced as European year of multicultural dialogue, the youth organization of MGERB prepared and distributed in the whole country more than ten thousand cards. The aim of MGERB was to emphasize on the necessity of our society to return to the values that more frequently have to be in the ground of our actions and relations. With respect for the traditions of our country, the young people of PP GERB consider that what unites all of us, irrespective of our ethnic, national, religious and cultural diversity, are the values, shared also by the family of the European People’s Party – peace, justice, responsibility for our actions, for people around us, for the environment in which we live, family, traditions, (European) identity, citizenship.

First national conference of MGERB – ‘The new right policy – local and European dimension’ 16-17 May 2008, Stara Zagora

18/05/08

On 16 and 17 May 2008 in Stara Zagora the Youth organization of PP GERB held its first national conference under the title – ‘The new right policy – local and European dimension’.

Democratic values that MGERB support

09/05/08

As Young Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (MGERB in Bulgarian)
we would like to start talking about values in our country.

As new members of the European family we would like more frequently
in the European Union to be spoken about Europe of values.

We would like to share with you our values
those of the family of the European People’s Party that we hope will become yours!