Module 1 - Bulgaria

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More about civic education in our life - BULGARIA

Politics

Bulgaria's policy is based on several key principles and values that determine the direction and priorities of the country. Here are some of the basics for Bulgaria's politics.

Scheme

State Governance of the Republic of Bulgaria

Legislative Power is exercised by the parliament of the Republic of Bulgaria - the National Assembly. It consists of 240 representatives, elected every four years. The National Assembly is responsible for adopting laws, amending the constitution, approving the budget, and overseeing the executive branch.

Executive Power is exercised by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, who is the main figure in the state and the government. The President is responsible for representing the state internationally, signing and promulgating laws, dissolving the National Assembly, and other important functions. The government, composed of ministers, manages the daily tasks of the state and implements the policies outlined in the governance program adopted by the parliament.

Judicial Power includes the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court of Cassation, appellate courts, and general courts. Judges are independent and inviolable in performing their functions and are responsible for applying the law and resolving disputes within the legal system of Bulgaria.

Foundations in Politics

Democracy and the rule of law: Bulgaria strives to establish democratic principles, including free and regular elections, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the principle of the rule of law, and the independence of the judicial system.

European integration: Bulgaria is a member of the European Union (since 2007) and actively supports European integration and the principles of the community. The country works to align its legislation and policies with European standards and values.

Economic development: Bulgaria aims for sustainable economic development, creating prosperity, and improving the standard of living. Policies include promoting entrepreneurship, attracting investments, modernizing infrastructure, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, and developing innovations.

Foundations in Politics

Education and science: Bulgaria places great importance on education and science as fundamental drivers of societal development. Policies in this area include modernizing the education system, promoting scientific research, developing information technologies, and supporting creativity and innovations.

Social policy: Bulgaria strives for a fair and inclusive society, where citizens have equal opportunities and access to social protection. Policies include support for vulnerable groups, combating poverty and social exclusion, promoting gender equality, and protecting the rights of children and people with disabilities.

Society

Bulgarian society is diverse and multi-layered, composed of citizens with various social, cultural, and ethnic identities. It is a result of the country's historical development and includes different social groups, such as workers, farmers, businessmen, intellectuals, retirees, and others.

Examples of organizations include:

social partners (unions and employer associations); non-governmental organizations (for example, those for environmental protection and consumer protection); local organizations (such as youth and family groups).

Institutions

Bulgaria has diverse institutions that play a crucial role in governing the country and ensuring the functioning of various sectors. Below, we will explore some of the key institutions in Bulgaria:

1. State Governance and Legislation:
National Assembly: Legislative body that adopts, amends, and repeals laws, conducts parliamentary control, and formulates the political will of the nation.
Government: Executive body responsible for the administration of the country, implementation of policies, execution of laws, and decision-making on important issues.
Ministries: Responsible for administration in various sectors such as the economy, education, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, and others.

2. Judiciary:
Supreme Cassation Court: The highest judicial instance that exercises control over the correct application of laws and makes decisions on cassation appeals.
Judicial instances: Include administrative, district, appellate, and supreme courts, which decide on civil and criminal matters.

3. Central Bank:
Bulgarian National Bank (BNB): Responsible for managing monetary policy and financial stability, controlling the banking system, and ensuring the functioning of payments.

4. Regulatory Institutions:
Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC): Responsible for ensuring competition protection and preventing unfair market practices.
Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC): Responsible for regulating the energy and water sector, including establishing tariffs and controlling suppliers.
Financial Supervision Commission (FSC): Responsible for overseeing financial institutions such as stock exchanges, banks, insurance, and pension companies.

5. Local Self-Government:
Municipalities: Represent the lowest level of local self-government and ensure the management of local issues and services within their territory.
Municipal Councils: Elected by citizens and make decisions on local issues, budgets, and the development of the municipality.

6. Education:
Ministry of Education and Science: Responsible for developing and implementing educational policies, standards, programs, and curricula.
Universities and Higher Education Institutions: Offer higher education and engage in scientific activities in various fields.

Informational Pages

Civil participation is an important aspect of a democratic society and represents the active involvement of citizens in decision-making processes and the formation of public policies. It includes the right to vote, freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. In Bulgaria, civil participation is carried out through various forms and instruments:

Elections: Citizens have the right to elect their representatives in legislative bodies (National Assembly), with elections held at regular intervals. Voting is an important means of civic participation and an expression of the political will of the population.

Petitions and civic initiatives: Citizens can submit petitions to state institutions and propose civic initiatives to amend legislation. This is a way to express the views and proposals of citizens.

Councils and commissions: State institutions can create councils and commissions in which citizens can participate and provide their opinions and advice on specific issues. These bodies are a means of involving citizens in decision-making processes.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Citizens can engage in the activities of NGOs, which address various issues and contribute to societal changes. This includes work on human rights protection, environmental protection, support for vulnerable groups, and more.

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Module 2 Bulgaria

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Civic Education Lessons

Civic education lessons aim to develop basic civic competencies in students and prepare them to be active and responsible citizens. Here is a general description of civic education lessons:

Several examples of civic education lessons:

1. Understanding Basic Rights and Freedoms:
- Discussing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its significance.
- Analyzing specific cases of rights and freedoms violations and ways to protect these rights.
- Creating posters or brochures that inform about the importance of human rights and freedoms.

2. Development of Civic Participation: - Studying different forms of civic participation, such as petitions, public campaigns, and others. - Organizing simulations or role-playing games where students have to present ideas and develop plans to solve specific community problems.

3. Exploring Democratic Processes: - Discussing key concepts related to democracy, such as elections, legislation, government, and others. - Analyzing democratic institutions and their roles in society. - Organizing a simulation of elections or a parliamentary session where students can experience democratic processes in practice.

4. Developing Media Literacy: - Exercises for analyzing media messages and understanding their role in shaping public opinion. - Developing critical thinking and distinguishing information from fake news and manipulative techniques. - Creating media products, such as blogs, videos, or public presentations, to share important issues or information with others.

Youth Engagement in Action

Youth engagement in action involves the active involvement of young people in public life and taking concrete actions for change. It encourages young people to engage with the issues and challenges in their communities and work towards their resolution. This can include volunteering, social projects, political engagement, and other initiatives.

Benefits of Youth Engagement

Youth engagement, which includes the active participation and involvement of young people in public issues and initiatives, has numerous benefits and advantages. Here are some of them:

1. Improvement of Civic Skills:
Youth engagement helps young people develop and enhance important civic skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, negotiation, and problem-solving.

2. Development of Self-Esteem and Confidence:
When youth engage in addressing social issues and actively work towards their resolution, they feel confident in their ability to make a positive impact on the world around them.

3. Understanding of Social Issues:
Youth engagement provides an opportunity for young people to understand and assess social issues that affect their communities and the world as a whole.

4. Building Connections and Networks:
Youth engagement allows young people to meet and work with other youth and adults who share similar interests and goals.

5. Influence on Public Decisions:
Youth engagement provides young people with the opportunity to be part of the process of making public decisions and to influence them.

Opportunities for Youth Engagement

Youth engagement offers various opportunities for young people to get involved and play an active role in society. Here are some of them:

Volunteering: Youth can participate in volunteer programs and projects addressing various social, environmental, or educational challenges. This may include working with homeless people, assisting children in need, environmental conservation, and more.

Social Projects: Youth can initiate and organize their social projects aimed at solving specific problems or assisting those in need. This may involve fundraising, conducting awareness campaigns on social issues, creating school or community gardens, and similar initiatives.

Political Engagement: Young people can engage in political processes and express their views and ideas. This includes participation in youth organizations, volunteering in political campaigns, creating petitions, participating in public discussions, and more.

Technology and Media: Youth can use technology and media to convey their messages and influence public opinion. They can create blogs, video materials, websites, or engage in online campaigns and movements.

Media Literacy

Media literacy and the ability to recognize fake news are of utmost importance in today's information society. Here are some aspects related to them:

1. Understanding Media Sources: Media literacy includes analyzing and evaluating various media sources. This involves understanding different media types, such as news websites, television channels, and social networks. Students should be taught how to recognize trusted and reliable sources that provide verified information.

2. Critical Thinking and Analysis: Media literacy develops critical thinking and the ability to analyze media messages. Students should be taught how to question information, fact-check, detect manipulations, and form their own informed opinions.

3. Recognizing Fake News: Nowadays, fake news and misinformation are widespread. Youth should be trained to recognize and debunk fake news. They need to learn how to verify sources, confirm information from multiple independent sources, and be cautious of signs of manipulation and deception.

4. Ethics and Responsible Media Use: Young people must understand and accept their responsibility as media consumers. They should be taught to share information from reliable sources, refrain from sharing fake news, and approach media with common sense and ethics.

Assessment of Youth Activity Impact

Assessing the impact of youth activity involves evaluating the personal development and skills of young people, their civic responsibility, community impact, influence on policies and systems, as well as the sustainability of the activity in the long term. Assessment can be conducted using various methods and data that gather information about the achieved impact.

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Module 3 Bulgaria

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Life, Work, Travel in the EU

Life, work, and travel in the European Union (EU) offer various opportunities and advantages. The EU has different countries with rich cultures, histories, and languages for you to explore.

Life in the EU provides a wide range of services and social guarantees, such as healthcare, education, and social assistance. Social security and worker protection systems, including pensions, sickness benefits, and unemployment insurance, are usually well-developed. Working in the EU provides opportunities for career development and professional benefits. Citizens of member states can seek employment in other EU countries without restrictions, opening doors to diverse job opportunities and professional possibilities.

What Does the EU Do for Its Citizens?

The European Union (EU) takes numerous measures and initiatives to protect and support its citizens. The EU has a broad range of policies and programs aimed at various aspects of citizens' lives, including:

1. Freedom of Movement: The EU guarantees the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital between member states. This means that EU citizens have the right to live, work, study, and travel in any of the member states without discrimination.

2. Social Rights and Protection: The EU promotes social solidarity and worker rights protection. It establishes minimum standards for working hours, workplace safety and health, equal treatment, and protection against discrimination. Additionally, the EU cares about consumer rights protection and promotes gender equality.

3. Healthcare and Safety: The EU supports cooperation in the healthcare field, provides tools to combat global threats such as pandemics, and ensures regulatory control and safety of food and products on the market.

4. Education and Youth Mobility: The EU encourages educational programs and youth mobility, such as the Erasmus+ program. This provides opportunities for students, teachers, and young people to study, work, and live in different EU member states, expanding their knowledge and experience.

5. Financial Support: The EU provides financial support through various funds and programs. This includes support for entrepreneurship, scientific research and innovation, regional development, agriculture, and social inclusion.

What Are the European Instruments?

The European Union (EU) has various instruments used to build and manage EU common policies. Some of the key European instruments include:

1. EU Treaties: These are the legal foundations of the EU, establishing the basic principles, goals, and rules for the functioning of the EU. The most important treaties are the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

2. European Commission: The Commission is the executive body of the EU and is responsible for proposing and implementing EU legislation, managing the EU budget, and representing EU interests on the international stage.

3. European Parliament: The Parliament is the legislative body of the EU and represents the citizens of the EU. It has the authority to adopt, amend, and approve EU legislation, supervise the work of the European Commission, and participate in shaping EU policies.

4. Council of the EU: The Council is the body representing the governments of the EU member states. It participates in formulating EU legislation, jointly with the European Parliament, and has the power to make decisions on important EU issues.

Documents and Publications of the Erasmus+ Program

To follow the priorities of the Erasmus+ program, you can familiarize yourself with the related documents and publications. Here are some of the main sources of information:

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