Program overview
The national program “Governing Skills” is a leadership development program for representatives of political parties and civil society organizations in Bulgaria. The program’s main goal is to provide training and to inspire tomorrow’s public policy leaders, preparing them with vision, commitment, and the skills for effective leadership and governance based on the rule of law, respect for human rights, transparency, accountability, and open dialogue.
The program was introduced in 2002. A unique concept not only in Bulgaria but also in the region, this annual seminar program incorporates training in the practical aspects of democratic politics, public policy analysis and process, personal leadership development and effective governance. In a multi-partisan learning environment, the program brings together a diverse group of 40 individuals from across the country to engage in study and discussion on issues of utmost importance for the political, economic, and social development of the country. Since its inception, nearly 300 graduates of the program have put the skills and relationships acquired through the training to work in their communities as politicial leaders, government officials, or as citizen activists.
The program is designed as a series of five training seminars: four 5-day seminars are conducted from December through June each year in Bulgaria. The final fifth seminar is organized by the Council of Europe and takes place in Strasbourg .
Program goals:
- To introduce the target group to key ideas and conceptions in political theory about the principles and functioning of democratic institutions and the democratic political process
- To provide participants with opportunities to improve their personal leadership, communication, and presentation skills
- To facilitate an ongoing dialogue and cooperation between current participants in the program and alumni of the School, thus contributing to the formation of a new generation of political and civic leaders in the country
Target group & eligibility criteria
The program targets young political leaders from the parliamentary represented parties, members of parliament, elected officials from the local, regional, and state administration, representatives of civil society organizations, journalists. On average, program participants are below 40 years of age. The School makes every effort to ensure equal representation of men and women, as well as of religious and ethnic minorities in the program. Each class has a balance between participants from political parties and civil society organizations.
Candidates for the program are nominated by the leaderships of the parliamentary represented political parties, by civil society organizations and alumni of the program.
- There is a political party quota and a civil society organizations quota, respectively set at 75% and 25% of the total number of participants.
- Candidates from the party quota may not nominate themselves or apply on their own; candidates from the civil society quota can apply on their own.
- Nominating institutions submit a nomination form to the Bulgarian School of Politics, stating the reasons for their nomination.
Program Activities
- Training seminars
- Guest lectures by prominent Bulgarian and international politicians
- Meetings with elected and appointed representatives of the three branches of power (executive, legislative, and judicial) at the national, regional, and local levels
- Formal public discussions on current economic, social, and political issues
- Conferences
- Presentations by think-tanks and political foundations
- Joint projects with the Alumni association of the School
- Individual and group projects, such as issue papers, policy initiatives, research studies
- Program publications
Training methods
Lecturers and moderators in the program are prominent university professors, experts, former and present high-ranking politicians and elected officials from Bulgaria , Europe, and the USA . The program provides a dynamic, interactive learning environment; seminar presenters and moderators employ a variety of techniques and expertly designed hands-on activities to encourage participants’ involvement and to enhance the effectiveness of learning. Seminar sessions typically include individual presentations, small groups work, case studies, simulation games, formal debates, and open discussions.
Certification
Upon completion of the program, each participant receives a Certificate for Specialization in Political Management from the New Bulgarian University and the Council of Europe.
Graduates of the School become members of the School’s Alumni Association.
