SDSN Bulgaria Hosts First Annual Conference
On October 9, 2024, SDSN Bulgaria held its first annual conference at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) in Sofia, Bulgaria, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) locally. The event brought together a diverse group of participants — policymakers, private sector representatives, academics, students, and young leaders — all united in their commitment to shaping a sustainable future for Bulgaria.
The keynote session "Achieving the SDGs in a Changing World" featured prominent speakers, including H.E. Rosen Plevneliev, former President of Bulgaria (2012–2017), who emphasized the vital role of leadership and networks like SDSN in driving sustainable development. He called for greater dialogue and collaboration, expressing confidence that networks like SDSN can help societies and communities secure a more prosperous future.
UNWE Rector, Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, highlighted the university's commitment to sustainability and its aim to become a green institution. He also announced collaborations with initiatives like the UN Global Compact and Sofia Municipality’s climate neutrality efforts. Andrija Erac, the SDSN's Head of Networks, and María Cortés-Puch, SDSN Vice President, highlighted Bulgaria's progress toward the SDGs, shared innovative solutions to tackle emerging challenges, and emphasized the importance of leveraging global expertise for local impact.
As the day progressed, discussions shifted to the intersection of education, technology, and sustainability. An engaging session featured speakers such as U.S. cybersecurity expert and Fulbright scholar Patrick Kyhos and Assoc. Prof. Marina Stefanova, Vice-Dean of Sustainability, Empowerment, and Engagement at Sofia University. The discussions stressed the importance of integrating AI and digital tools into curricula to prepare students for the future workforce, while embedding sustainability across all aspects of education.
Private sector participants played a key role at the conference, showcasing their commitment to upskilling young talent and facilitating the transition to sustainability. They underscored the value of partnerships with academia to develop essential skills and innovative solutions. Companies also shared their strategies for involving youth in their operations, helping them cultivate future-ready competencies, and highlighted the need for ongoing collaborations with universities to stay at the forefront of sustainable practices.
The conference concluded with the official launch of SDSN Youth Bulgaria, where two young leaders were appointed as Co-Network Coordinators. The youth network will serve as the youth branch of SDSN Bulgaria and part of the broader SDSN Youth networks, reflecting Bulgaria's and SDSN’s commitment to engaging and mobilizing young people to advance sustainable solutions.
The landmark event was made possible by Michael Musov, co-chair of SDSN Bulgaria, and Co-Network Managers Atanas Dimitrov and Gabriela Naskova, whose leadership and vision were instrumental in its organization.
