Ambassadors of the initiative

As part of the initiative "Strategic cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway in support of Bulgaria's international commitments to combating anti-Semitism and preserving of Jewish heritage", the State Cultural Institute held a seminar program "Ambassadors of the initiative" on November 21 and 22, 2022. The participants are young leaders of public opinion - journalists from national media, representatives of the non-governmental sector and the diplomatic service, of educational institutions - lectors and students.

 

In several discussion panels were presented the goals of the initiative, the preparation of a National Plan for countering manifestations of xenophobia and the protection of Jewish heritage, the lessons from the events of the 1940s and the opposition to the plans for the deportation of Bulgarian Jews, the discriminatory measures against our compatriots . They are still important today, when we are faced with the trivialization of hate speech, not only in the anonymous spaces of social networks, but also in the public environment.

 

Moderators in the panel discussions were experts from the diplomatic service, journalists and historians, experts in the preservation and revitalization of cultural heritage, representatives of the Jewish community - the youth structures of the "Shalom" organization, academic teachers in history and philosophy of sports. Representatives of the National Coordination Unit of the Bilateral Fund, Norwegian Financial Mechanism and the Embassy of Israel in Sofia took part in the program.

 

The challenge of specific examples - the historical events of "persecution and salvation", the contemporary threats of inciting xenophobia and anti-Semitism - became the occasion for lively discussions about the possibilities of developing communication strategies of institutions and organizations, of the educational system. Concrete ideas were also proposed to be integrated into the measures of the National Plan in the sectors of cultural heritage and education.

The joint work with the participants will continue with the implementation of initiatives such as visiting notable places related to the life of the Jewish community, media projects and organizing discussions with a young academic audience.

Source: State Cultural Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs