On November 19 in Sofia, Peace Corps Bulgaria officially launched its recent Youth Development programme.
There were many politicians and diplomats at the presentation in the National Children's Palace in Sofia, including the US ambassador James Pardew, Deputy Sports and Youth Minister Elitsa Neshevska, Deputy Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivanka Hristova, representatives of the Education and Science Ministry and the Youth Development Programme director, Laura Jacobi, as well as Peace Corps volunteers involved in the programme.
The main goal of the programme is to create an environment of positive relations and experiences for the youth of Bulgaria, which will help them to develop the qualities, skills and values to help shape them into healthy, caring and responsible adults.
According to Carl Hammerdorfer, country director of Peace Corps Bulgaria, the programme was created in 2003 and involves more than 25 Peace Corps volunteers who have trained more than 600 children and youths in English at different levels and have acquainted them with the values of ethnic tolerance and human rights.
The volunteers have also drawn the support of local communities, parents and teacher and have established sports clubs, debating clubs and dance troupes.
"We recognise the importance of youth and that they grow up and be educated in the values of ethnic tolerance, human rights and social inclusion," he said.
"All children deserve support regardless of ethnicity, abilities and whether or not they live in an institution," Jacobi said.
In his remarks, ambassador Pardew welcomed the initiative and expressed the hope that the programme will include hundreds of young people in Bulgaria and will be support ed by Bulgarian organisations on a local and national level in their work with youths.
He said that 173 Peace Corps volunteers currently work across Bulgaria, mainly under local programmes.
According to Pardew, the Peace Corps supports the activities of the social and youth ministries, the Child Protection Agency and Bulgarian non-governmental agencies on child protection.
There were many politicians and diplomats at the presentation in the National Children's Palace in Sofia, including the US ambassador James Pardew, Deputy Sports and Youth Minister Elitsa Neshevska, Deputy Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivanka Hristova, representatives of the Education and Science Ministry and the Youth Development Programme director, Laura Jacobi, as well as Peace Corps volunteers involved in the programme.
The main goal of the programme is to create an environment of positive relations and experiences for the youth of Bulgaria, which will help them to develop the qualities, skills and values to help shape them into healthy, caring and responsible adults.
According to Carl Hammerdorfer, country director of Peace Corps Bulgaria, the programme was created in 2003 and involves more than 25 Peace Corps volunteers who have trained more than 600 children and youths in English at different levels and have acquainted them with the values of ethnic tolerance and human rights.
The volunteers have also drawn the support of local communities, parents and teacher and have established sports clubs, debating clubs and dance troupes.
"We recognise the importance of youth and that they grow up and be educated in the values of ethnic tolerance, human rights and social inclusion," he said.
"All children deserve support regardless of ethnicity, abilities and whether or not they live in an institution," Jacobi said.
In his remarks, ambassador Pardew welcomed the initiative and expressed the hope that the programme will include hundreds of young people in Bulgaria and will be support ed by Bulgarian organisations on a local and national level in their work with youths.
He said that 173 Peace Corps volunteers currently work across Bulgaria, mainly under local programmes.
According to Pardew, the Peace Corps supports the activities of the social and youth ministries, the Child Protection Agency and Bulgarian non-governmental agencies on child protection.
