[Bulgaria] Celebrating 30 Years of Social Work Education at New Bulgarian University

On 20 March 2019, the New Bulgarian University celebrated the International Day of Social Work, and marked its 30th year of social work education. The event was organized by the Know-How Center for Alternative Child Care, NBU and served as an occasion to launch the new Master’s Program, 'Psycho-Social Interventions with Children and Families', by the Department of Health and Social Work.

New Social Relationships and an Innovative Spirit

The Executive Director of NBU, Dr. Georgi Tekev, the Head of the Know-How Center, Dr. Galina Markova, and Drake Weisert, the US Public Affairs Advisor in Bulgaria, opened an exhibition entitled ‘Investments in Changed Social Relations for Children and Families in Bulgaria’. The exhibition presents the work of eight non-governmental organizations that invest in raising the qualification of their specialists in the field of social work with vulnerable children and families. These NGOs are also partnering with the Know-How Center’s new master's program. Dr. Georgi Tekev recognized the achievements and the innovative spirit of the Know-How Center, and its promotion of new social relationships and entrepreneurship in the field of social work.

Later on, during the official program with host Prof. Snezhina Petrova, Head of the Department of Theatre, a short film on the history of the social work program was screened. Ombudsman Maya Manolova, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Biser Petkov, Rector of New Bulgarian University Prof. Plamen Bochkov, Representative of the Swiss Oak Foundation Bridget de Ley, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Margarita Stankova - Head of the Department of Health and Social Work, and Dr. Antoaneta Mateeva, PhD in Psycho-Social Interventions with Children and Families, officially congratulated the Center.

A Source of Academic Knowledge and Recommendations in the Field of Child Rights

The Know-How Center was acknowledged as an important source of recommendations, academic knowledge and experience through practice in the area of ​​children's rights in Bulgaria in several speeches. The Ombudsman and the SACP applauded Dr. Markova’s work at the Know-How Center, which was awarded for its contribution to New Bulgarian University and to social work education in Bulgaria. The award was accepted by Professor Plamen Bochkov, who announced the establishment of a university fund to provide scholarships for students in the new master's program.

Official guests included: Dr. Jane Muita, UNICEF's representative in Bulgaria; Angela Rodel, Executive Director of the Fulbright Bulgarian Educational Exchange Program; Dr. Eleonora Lilova, SACP Chair; Ana Ananieva, Deputy Executive Director of ASA; Minka Yoncheva, Director of the Social Activities Directorate in Sofia Municipality; and other representatives of state institutions. More than 100 lecturers, students, alumni and non-governmental organizations attended the event, which continued at Artes Restaurant. The exhibition can be seen in front of the auditorium at NBU until 26 March 2019.