Key topics related to developing reliable indicators for assessing the environment for students with disabilities and refugees, as well as creating an inclusive academic environment, were discussed at an international conference held in Sofia.

Acting Minister of Education and Science, Professor Galin Tsokov, emphasized the importance of social inclusion in higher education. He noted that significant steps have already been taken in this direction. One example is that 25 out of the 33 public higher education institutions in the country will now accept 400 foreign nationals or stateless persons with temporary protection for regular study programs.

Professor Eliza Stefanova, Chair of the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency of Bulgaria, called for active participation and constructive solutions to address the challenges facing higher education. According to her, representatives from the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), higher education institutions, and non-governmental organizations must work together to propose changes to the Higher Education Act.

Other topics discussed included opportunities for changes in the regulatory framework concerning the use of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), as well as the introduction of mechanisms for validation and micro-credentialing within higher education practices.

The event was organized as part of the implementation of the START project—Social Inclusion, Tolerance, Acceptance, and Realization for All Students—carried out by the Ministry of Education and Science, the National Evaluation and Accreditation Agency of Bulgaria, the Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ARACIS), and the Bulgarian Council on Refugees and Migrants. The project is funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ program.

On 6 December, the Bulgarian Council on Refugees and Migrants, UNHCR Representation in Bulgaria and Multi Kulti Collective organized an Intercultural Evening “A Vision for Integration of Refugees in Bulgaria”. The aim of the event was to share ideas on the vision for refugee integration in Bulgaria, to continue building coalitions for support of refugee integration and to encourage intercultural communication in a multicultural environment.

Experts from international organizations, state bodies, public institutions, municipalities, and NGOs participated in the event.

Keynote speakers at the event were the Chair of the Bulgarian Council on Refugees and Migrants – Kina Sabeva, the Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for the Refugees in Bulgaria – Mathijs le Rutte, and the Chair of Multi Kulti Collective – Bistra Ivanova. The special guest of the event was the Palestinian poet Khairi Hamdam.

The developed by BCRM Information Cards on Refugee Integration in Bulgaria are available online.

On 28 November, the Bulgarian Council on Refugees and Migrants and the UNHCR Representation in Bulgaria organized an Information Session “Local integration of refugees: A chance for growth” for Municipality of Breznik. Representatives of the local authorities from Tran, Zemen, Pernik, and Kovachevtzi municipalities participated also in the session. The meeting is part of the UNHCR efforts to inform the Municipalities about the real number of refugees, the benefits of integration and funding opportunities. The event shared good practices of refugee integration from Bulgaria and European Union countries.

Programme

On 21 November 2018, the 10th meeting of the Working Group on Integration of refugees was held, co-chaired by the Bulgarian Council of Refugees and Migrants.