Ministers, Members of the Parliament and youth discussed the new approach in politics

08/09/09

Ministers and Members of the Parliament discussed the new approach in politics with representatives of MGERB. The event took place in Varna Grand Hotel, from the 3rd to the 6th of September, after invitation on behalf of Monika Panayotova – chairwoman of GERB’s youth organisation and Member of the 41st National Assembly.

The Second Summer University of MGERB, that turned into tradition, took place under the moto: “Youth and the new approach in politics”. The University was realized with the courtesy of the Hanns Seidel Foundation and it gathered Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of the European Parliament, Councilors, experts and over one hundred young people from all corners of the country.

The Summer University was opened by Mr. Tsvetan Tsvetanov - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Chairman of GERB, together with Mr. Bogdan Mirchev - representative of the “Hanns Seidel” Foundation in Bulgaria. “The basic thing that you need to remember in your upcoming political career is never to forget where you started from”, these were the words that Mr. Tsvetanov used to welcome all the representatives from the youth organisation and he also didn’t skip to mention that youth is the driving force of everything and he encouraged them to express all their ideas regarding the governance of the country. Mr. Bogdan Mirchev also expressed his satisfaction from the young politicians and reminded them never to be arrogant and always to be close to the problems of the citizens.

The trainings throughout the first day of the summer university had the goal of expressing and discussing the hardships related to the youth policy and specifically the policy for youth seen through the eyes of the youth. Attention was also given to the need of creating a Strategy for the development of youth, as well as adequate work of the institutions towards the young people. The training was achieved with many interactive sessions and exchange of experience. A special report on the topic of: “GERB after the MEP elections, National Assembly elections and future party management” was made by the Administrative Secretary of GERB Mr. Tsvetomir Paunov.

The second day of the forum was opened by Monika Panayotova, chairwoman of MGERB and member of the 41st National Assembly. She welcomed everyone and assured them that MGERB will continuo following and working on its three priorities: training and personal development of its members, civil activities and active international activities.

“The Summer University, held in our marine capital, is traditional for our youth organisation. The project is part of the whole conception for improvement and development of young members of GERB”, stated Miss Panayotova.

The Minister of Defence Nikolay Mladenov, the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Rosen Plevneliev, the Deputy Finance minister Vladislav Goranov, the Deputy Minister of Culture Todor Chobanov and Svetlana Lomeva - Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Science, introduced the priorities of GERB in the executive branch, based on the Program for European development of Bulgaria.

The leader of the Bulgarian delegation to the Parliamentary group of the EPP at the European Parliament Andrey Kovatchev presented the priorities of the new Bulgarian MEPs from GERB to the participants. Mr. Radoslav Totchev, Foreign affairs Advisor to the Prime Minister, explained the most important priorities in Bulgaria’s foreign affairs.

Professor Hans-Peter Niedermeier, Director of the Scholarship department of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Munich, Germany was among the honorable guests of the forum was. He congratulated the chairwoman of GERB’s youth organisation for the active and hard work of MGERB.

Defence, Development and Diplomacy was the topic of a three day seminar in The Hague, Netherlands, organized by the Youth of EPP (YEPP)

07/09/09

From the 3rd to the 6th of September 2009, in the European capital of justice, there was a gathering of youths from 19 countries (including countries who are not members of the European Union), to exchange experience and to learn more about the 3-D concept.

The seminar was opened by Mr. Lambert van Nistelrooy Member of the European Parliament, Mrs. Lian Decker Vice President of the Christian Democratic Party in the Netherlands, Jeroen van Velzen the leader of the Christian Democratic youths in the Netherlands who hosted of the seminar, Mr. Maarten Boef from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Mr. Andrew Mann Consul to the American embassy in the Netherlands.

During the three day seminars the lectorers were: Mrs. Meindertsma – International center for Strategic Studies, Mr. Bert van Ruitenbeek – “Save the Children” foundation, Mr. Jino van der Vuut – Councillor on military matters to the Minister of International Development, Mrs. Ferrier – Member of Parliament. The conclusion and summery of the seminar was made by Mr. Huhtanen the director of the centre for European Studies.

The Bureau meeting of YEPP as well as thee council meeting were held a day before the end of the seminar.

At the seminar the Youth of GERB was represented by Kalin Zahariev, member of the “National Executive Council” of MGERB, who represented the organization as an invited guest to the YEPP. The last step before acquiring full membership is to become an observer member. After a presentation before the council of YEPP, MGERB was reassured that it would be question of short time before a question of short time before acquiring full membership in YEPP. MGERB received congratulations for its hard work and progress from the president of YEPP – Laurent Schouteten, as well as from the members of the bureau of the YEPP.