European Horizons Open to Gabrovo s Young People

In May, 1998, by the initiative of the Youth Cultural and Information Center (YCIC) in Gabrovo, a youth team was formed to work on the program and technical plan for an information campaign aimed at promoting the European Charter for Participation of Young People in the Life of Municipalities and Regions, and for the adoption of its principles by Gabrovo Municipal Council. The program included:

1. Distribution of the European Charter among youth non-governmental organizations, schools, the Student Council at Gabrovo Technical University, the municipal administration and municipal council, public organizations and local media.

2. Forming a working group on the adoption of the Charter, which will prepare an action plan to promote the initiative in the local community and the media.

3. Developing a proposal for the adoption of the Charter and discussion of the proposal with the Chairman of the Municipal Council, the standing committees of the Municipal Council and with the municipal management.

4. Developing a long-term program for implementation of the European Charter for Participation of Young People in the Life of Municipalities and Regions.

As a part of the program, the young people presented the Charter s ideas in schools, radio broadcasts, shows of local radio and TV stations, local newspapers, develop a project for a brochure and a poster. Student councils came up with the following statements:

At a Student Council meeting, representatives of the class student councils discussed students opinion on the European Charter... reviewed in class. The students welcome the idea for adequate participation of young people in defining the future of their municipalities, and are ready to give their cooperation for social changes. They are convinced that, by making them a part of social life, the Charter will erase the apathy and lack of interest and will provide opportunities for better professional development with the spirit of a modern democratic future. It is imperative for young people to participate in solving problems such as unemployment within the municipality, environmental protection, social and heath protection...

Student Council

Textiles High School, Gabrovo

The Student Council at the Dr. Nikola Vasiliadi Technical High School took the decision to support the initiative of the Youth Cultural and Information Center in Gabrovo for the adoption of the European Charter for Participation of Young People in the Life of Municipalities and Regions by Gabrovo Municipal Council... Young people s commitment is an expression of their desire to live together and to overcome the contradictory trends in contemporary society. The participation of the youth in municipal affairs will be a constant dialogue between local authorities and young people, which will contribute for the development of civil society...

The Scouts from the Gabrovo region believe that the European Charter for Participation of Young People in the Life of Municipalities and Regions will undoubtfully contribute for a gradual change in the mentality of municipal employees towards paying more attention to the problems of the young people within the municipality, so that their voice won t remain unheard. It will help to integrate young people in society...

We, the young members of YCIC - Gabrovo, realize that the adoption of the Charter by the Gabrovo Municipal Council means both new responsibilities for the young people, who with their enthusiasm could contribute a lot for solving some youth problems, and responsibilities for the municipal councilors and employees who will have to seek cooperation with the young people in Gabrovo. We are convinced that the adoption of the Charter will assist the process of developing and coordinating a new youth policy which will meet the needs and aspirations of Gabrovo s young people, and which will also help them to participate more actively in the European accession process.

It is necessary to promote the idea of the indivisibility of our country and our culture from the pan-European trends and traditions, to define the role of young people in Bulgaria s preparation to achieve this strategic goal...

Students Council

Gabrovo Technical University

Young people s opinions listed also some specific proposals for developing a policy for work with the youth and including them in the implementation of municipal initiatives: establishing an employment bureau for young people and students; providing information on youth activities; establishing a consulting center for education and adaptation of young people; encouraging youth environmental projects; preventive work in the area of health protection of the youth; work for the social integration of young people from orphanages; providing recreational opportunities for young people, etc.

The Chairman of the Gabrovo Municipal Council, Mr. Ivan Nenov, submitted a proposal to the Municipal Council, which says:

...The Municipality of Gabrovo shall implement a policy for performing activities together WITH the young people, and not for them.

In the contemporary conditions of global social changes, we have no right to make mistakes in choosing the basic principles of our policy for the youth. In this case, the only right choice is the adoption of the European Charter for Participation of the Young People in the Life of their Municipalities and Regions. With its implementation in our municipality, we will guarantee that young people are treated as a resource, and not as a problem, which is a step forward towards the incorporation of Bulgaria in United Europe. I believe that, by following the Charter s principles, we will guarantee the prosperity and security of our future, which is in our hands today, but tomorrow will be in the hands of these same young people.

On May 17, 1998, at a session dedicated to the Day of Gabrovo, Gabrovo Municipal Council became the first in Bulgaria to adopt the European Charter for Participation of Young People in the Life of Municipalities and Regions as a basic principle of its activities in achieving cooperation and succession between generations, and focused on the opportunities to include young people in solving the problems and in the development of the municipality.