MGERB learned about “Political Culture and how to communicate with the media” during the second module of the Third Political Academy

23/11/09

The second module of MGERB’s Third Political Academy took place in the Imperial Park Hotel in Plovdiv from the 19th to the 22nd of November 2009. The module was titled: “Political Culture and how to communicate with the media” and was officially opened by Mr. Ivan Totev – Regional Governor of Plovdiv and Regional Coordinator of GERB – Plovdiv and the National Executive Council of MGERB.

During the four day training there were over 50 participants - representatives of MGERB from the whole country. The main topics during the module were: “Media Presence, theory and practice”, “Political Rhetoric, theory and practice” and “Political Culture”.

The target of the training dedicated to “Media Presence, theory and practice” was to teach the participants the difference between the different media, the way they need to behave in front of a camera, microphone, as well as to practically prepare the participants to communicate with the media. The participants learned the different dress codes that are appropriate for the different media’s.  That they should dress appropriately to the decors in the television studios, the light and the cameras. The participants also learned the difference between formal and informal meetings with the media. They learned how to form a press message and headline during several exercises. The participants had the chance to show what they had learned during a simulated press conference and a debate. The simulation included cameras and microphones, so the participants, practiced their speech, as well as behavior. Lecturers of the panel were Sevdelina Arnaudova -PR, Press centre of the political party of GERB in the National Assembly and Nikola Nikolov, journalist Balkan Bulgarian Television (BBT).

The second panel of the training dealt with “Political Rhetoric, theory and practice”. The target of the panel was to prepare the participants to lead a political debate in the reality of today’s Bulgaria. The participants in MGERB’s Third Political Academy had the ability to familiarise themselves with the political ideologies and how to use them in election campaigns. There was a unique exercise, which determined where the participant placed in the political scale, ranging from ultra left, left, liberal, right and ultra right. The participants answered questions, which determined where they place on the scale. After every question there was a debate in which the participants defended their answers and discussed the general answers. The participants learned to determine the left and the right policies. The participants learned about which parties are consider left and which are considered right in Europe and the United States. The lecturer of this panel was Radoslav Tochev – Councillor to the Prime Minister, regarding foreign policy questions.

One day before the end of the academy the participants had the chance to meet with the MEP – Vladimir Urutchev, Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and substitute in the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. The participants had the unique chance to learn about the function of the European Parliament and the recent election for President of the European Union, as well as the newly appointed European Union Foreign Minister. They also asked and received answers about Bulgaria’s energy policy. The participants also met with Simeon Djankov Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. During the meeting the participants engaged in an open dialogue and asked political questions about the governance of Bulgaria, as well as the role of the young people.

The second module of MGERB’s Third Political Academy was closed by Monika Panayotova – Chairwoman of MGERB and Member of Parliament in the 41st National Assembly and by the members of MGERB’s National Executive Council.

The third and final module of MGERB’s Third Political Academy will take place in January 2010. The third and final module will be dedicated to rhetoric and public speech.