Representatives of MGERB took par in the international conference “Europe in the process of transformation – the end of taboos”

27/02/2012

The International Secretary of MGERB Hristo Gadzhev and Venera Dracheva – Member of MGERB Sofia took part in the conference “Europe in the process of transformation – the end of taboos” organised by YEPP (the Youth Organisation of the European People’s Party). The conference was held in the period between the 23rd and 26th of February 2012 in Budapest, Hungary. Host of the event was FIDELITAS – the youth organisation of the governing FIDES Party with the kind cooperation of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Representatives of organisations members of YEPP from all over Europe participated in heated debates regarding a series of popular topics such as stimulating youth entrepreneurship, development of renewable energy, defending freedom on Internet space and others. The young politicians accepted a series of resolutions of the Council of Europe and stood united against the repressions in Syria.

During the seminar the participants had the opportunity to participate in interactive discussions with representatives of the executive power in Hungary such as Tibor Navracsics – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Administration and Justice of Hungary; János Martonyi – Minister of Foreign Affairs; Zoltán Cséfalvay – State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Development and others. The honorable lecturers familiarised the delegates with the constitutional changes in Hungary and with the recent developments of the national and European development of the country.

The main highlights of the debates were the current political situation in Hungary and are the democratic values in the country in danger. After the explanation of the hosts of the reasons and specifics for the changes a declaration was prepared regarding “The institutional changes in Hungary and their compliance with the fundamental rights of European law” and was approved by MGERB.

The representatives of MGERB honored the victims of the communist and fascist regimes, because the 25th of February in Hungary is the Day for honoring all of the victims of the authoritarian regimes, which governed the country during the 20th century.

MGERB is a full member of YEPP since May 2010 when it was unanimously accepted in the family of the center right European youths and has participated actively in the decision making processes on European level.

MGERB took part in the Winter University of EDS entitled "Democratisation Process in the Balkans - Promoting European Values and Human Rights"

27/02/2012

In the period between the 21st and 26th of February 2012 was held the Winter University of the European Democrat Students (EDS) – the student organisation of the European People’s Party in Zagreb, Republic of Croatia. The event was attended by over 70 delegates from 20 youth political organisations. Representatives of MGERB to the winter university were Kalin Zahariev – Deputy International Secretary of MGERB and Vice-president of EDS and Andrey Novakov – member of MGERB Blagoevgrad.

During the first day of the winter university were held short trainings for the co-chairs of the three permanent work groups to EDS. The target was to explain the new system for the preparation of resolutions and other documents of the organisation under which is achieved more active participation of the delegates and better end results.

During the second day the delegates visited the Zagreb Municipality where under the presence of media met with political figures and government representatives connected with the process of acceptance of Croatia into the EU. After the end of the event the participants visited the headquarters of the host party. Then there were held discussions, which targeted the exchange of view points and the expirience of the participants from the Balkans for the democratization of the region. Later during the day was held the meeting of the bureau of EDS. The daily order consisted of organisational matters connected with the forthcoming events of the organisation. The daily schedule contained a few other points, among which the choosing of an assistant for the projects of EDS. After a selection was held EDS approved Borislav Iliev, Regional Coordinator of MGERB Pleven. Borislav will support Kalin Zahariev in the research project in the sphere of higher education in the EU.

During the next day the participants met with representatives from the Committee on Human Rights to the Parliament of Croatia, after which they had the opportunity to attend a parliamentary session of the parliament. During the session was reviewed the budget project for the Republic of Croatia for 2012. The second half of the day went in meetings of the three permanent committees to EDS – Higher Education and Research, European Policies and Human Rights. Typical for the new system of preparation of documents is that the participants receive a topic and information on it – and the text is created at the moment with the participation of all of the participants. In the final document are included all propositions, which have received a majority of the working group.

During the fourth day the participants were part of a lection including the political history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. The panels were financed by the Hans Seidel Foundation. After the lecture were held simulation games regarding the solving of cases about the three countries in the context of the historical and political realities. Simulations of high level meetings were also held in which the participants were given current problems to solve.

During the last day of the Winter University was held the meeting of the Council of EDS. One of the most important highlights was the European wide campaign “Knowledge is Power” organised by EDS. Another important moment was the acceptance of new associations to the family of EDS – right youth organisations from Italy, Lithuania and Georgia. The council of EDS approved the candidacy of Borislav Iliev. The daily schedule also included the report of the Chairperson, the vice-chairpersons, a report for the budget of EDS, organisational decisions and other questions.