The Bulgarian and European point of view: The Macedonian Referendum
On October the 11th, the International Research Student Association attended the event: “"The Bulgarian and European Viewpoint: The Macedonian Referendum.”.On the idea of Vasil Georgiev and Alexander Kiossev, first-degree colleagues were invited to receive up-to-date information about what is happening in Macedonia. The event was organized by the European Council for Foreign Policy (ESF) with the support of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. It was divided into two panels, and interesting guests were invited: Andrea Stoykovski, member of the negotiating team with the EU, Skopje; Peter Bogoyesky, former Deputy Secretary General of VMRO-DPMNE; Rosen Plevniev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria (2012-2017); Ognian Minchev, Institute for Regional and International Studies and others.
The discussion was divided into two panels as in the first, with representatives from Macedonia taking part. The first-person situation in our neighbour was presented in the form of a debate in which Andrea Stoykovski and Peter Bogoyesky showed what are the alternatives to Macedonia. The interesting thing in the first panel was the end of the debate - both politicians said they were supporting Macedonia on its way to the EU.The second part was devoted to Bulgaria's position on the ongoing referendum in Macedonia, in which Bulgaria said that our neighbour has our full support. The importance of the Friendship, Good Neighborhood and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Republic of Macedonia was highlighted as an important factor, leaving the enmities in the past and as a step forward towards the common future.
Spring Ball of the Department of International Relations 2018
For an eighteenth consecutive year, the International Relations Research Student Association(IRRSA) organizes the Spring Ball of the Department of International Relations and celebrated the 19th anniversary of the organization. Some of the guests who were invited were students from the courses European studies, International Relations and Political Science.
Our fellow students, had the opportunity to meet in a more informal setting some of our professors, representatives of the diplomatic and political elite, friends and partners.
The event program included dance performances as well as the annual award ceremony for the best students throughout the year.
For the realization of this event, we have to give out our sincere gratitude to our sponsors who are the Student Council at UNWE, who have always supported us, organic food store “Joy Day”, confectioneries “Bordo”, “Oshte Net Ltd.”, law firm “Nestori-Ugliarov-Milchev” and “Sutherland”.
Тraining with Debate Club UNWE “Stefan Stambolov”
“Basics of argumentation” was the topic of the educational meeting that took part on the 20th of March, 2018 in the University of National and World Economy. The International Relations Research Student Association invited the Debates Club UNWE “Stefan Stambolov”, who have accumulated vast experience on the topic throughout the years. The participants had the opportunity to learn more about the whole framework of the debates: how to defend their thesis, how to be the most sufficient listeners and how to discuss properly. The colleagues put emphasis on how important non-verbal communication is, especially in the field of diplomacy – how you talk, how you wave your hands, your posture. At the end of the meeting, in order to solidify the newly acquired knowledge – we played a game.
The Youth roundtable “The Balkans in 21st century – the Bulgarian point of view”
On the 15th March, 2018 the International Relations Research Student Association (IRRSA) and the Students Diplomatic Club (SDC), accompanied by the Institute for Economics and International Relations (IEIR), the National Association for International Relations (NAIR) and the Bulgarian Diplomatic Society (BDS) held together for the sixth year in a row the Youth round table “The Balkans in 21st century – the Bulgarian point of view”. The participants presented comprehensively and well-groundedly their opinion for the processes in world politics, their Balkan versions and Bulgarian Presidency of the European Council. In the end of the conference the participants were awarded with certificates, in addition the three winners were given diplomas, as well.
Public lecture with HE Emma Hopkins, Ambassador of Great Britain to Bulgaria
The International Relations Research Student Association (IRRSA)had the pleasure to welcome HE Emma Hopkins, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Bulgaria, on 20.02.2018 in the Large Conference Hall at the University of National and World Economy. The event was held in front of a large audience of students and lecturers. Among them were Associate Professor Dr.Plamen Ralchev (Deputy Head of Department International Relations) and Associate Professor Dr. Milanka Slavova (Vice-Rector on Education in EQD of Bachelor and Lifelong Learning).
HE Emma Hopkins was introduced by the Chairman of IRRSA – Petar Nikolushev.
Emma Kate Hopkins was appointed Ambassador of Great Britain to Bulgaria in September 2014 and took her post in May 2015.
Before her appointment in Sofia, Emma Hopkins had led the UK government’s Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) to end impunity for sexual violence committed in war. The campaign included the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict – which brought together over 125 countries in the largest gathering ever on this topic. She was awarded as the Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, for services for the prevention of sexual violence in conflict affected countries.
As part of her work in the government, Emma Hopkins heads legal and political departments. She works on migration and finding asylums, human rights, European legislation, home affairs, international criminal law, organized crime and violence against women.
Emma Hopkins graduated from the University of Cambridge and worked as a lawyer from 1995 to 2001, and then she went to the public sector.
The theme of the lecture was "EU - UK Relations after Brexit". Her Excellency, Emma Hopkins pointed out the main reasons that led to Brexit and said that Britain had its own view for its future in the globalizing world. Democracy deficit, increasing migration, populism and nationalism in the EU do not overlap with the democratic principle of sovereignty over which the UK has built its multicultural society. The country's priority is to address the threats and challenges of the modern world by preserving the principles of democracy, respect for human rights and ensuring security and sovereignty.
The lecturer paid special attention to the tasks that the UK has set itself during the two-year EU exit process: transforming legislation, creating new trade agreements, building new international relations on the principle of democracy. She specified that Britain opens its doors to the world and "Brexit does not mean nationalism, but internationalism."
At the end of the discussion, lecturers and students had the opportunity to ask their questions. HE Emma Hopkins answered thoroughly all questions.
“European Security and Identity”,student debate
The student debate "European Security and Identity" was held on 27.11.2017 in the University of National and World Economy, Sofia. Assoc. Prof. Plamen Ralchev, the deputy head of the International Relations Department and Mr. Yordan Bozhilov (president of Sofia Security Forum) were the moderators of the event.
The topic was “European security and identity”. The survey in the audience, made by assoc. Prof. Plamen Ralchev, helped for more deep reflections on the topic questions: Does the risk unite or divide society? Where are the differences between national and European identity? Is education a determining factor?
The moderators tried to involve the audience in the debate because those who only observe are suffering too, while those who are actively involved in the social process would help to make the change that every European dreams to see.
