15 final year students from schools in Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv and Sofia took part in the competition. It was hosted by Kamelia Koneva, Coordinator at the American Corner.
In a series of 5-minute speeches, the students presented their arguments on a variety of topics before a 3-member jury. Topics included the importance of the upcoming European elections, young people and the EU, EU enlargement, disinformation, artificial intelligence, animal welfare, and food and consumption.
The members of the jury were:
Valeria Kardashevska – Associate Professor at the Kr. Sarafov National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts; teacher of Public Speaking, Speech Technique and Oratory Art, with a PhD in Theatre Science and Theatre Art.Spaska Tarandova – Executive Director of the Global Libraries Bulgaria FoundationIvan Nachev – Political scientist and expert on European integration; Lecturer at the New Bulgarian University and Executive Director of the Dimitar Panitsa Bulgarian School of Politics
The jury made the following awards:
- First place – Alexander Stanev from Prof. Konstantin Galabov National Language School 91 (Sofia) with the topic “a European strategy for a stable food system”
- Second place – Dorothea Sergieva from the First Language High School, Varna with the topic “How to oppose disinformation and falsely created realities during this election year”
- Third place – Gabriela Mantsarova from the Trade High School in Burgas, with the topic “Young people: how the EU works to give them more opportunities”.
The winning students will visit the European Parliament after its formation in autumn 2024.
The project was financed by the Public Diplomacy department of the American Embassy in Sofia, and implemented by GLBF in partnership with the Dimitar Panitsa Bulgarian School of Politics and the American Corners in the regional libraries of Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv and Sofia.
