Leadership Academy for Civic Engagement and Tolerance 2024: 170 Participants Inspired for Change

Every change begins with inspiration and a desire to act. This year, the Leadership Academy for Civic Engagement and Tolerance proved that when young people believe in themselves, they can transform their communities. Between November 24 and 27, Stara Zagora became a hub of ideas, energy, and shared dreams. Over 130 students, along with 40 teachers and mediators from across the country, gathered to learn how to become leaders, defend their rights, and build bridges between people.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect, but on the very first day, I realized I was part of something big and meaningful,” shared one of the students. The Leadership Academy is not just an event – it’s a tradition that has, for more than a decade, inspired young people from all over Bulgaria to look beyond everyday challenges and dream boldly about the future.

One of the most exciting parts of the program on the first day was an online discussion with Members of the European Parliament Andrey Kovatchev and Hristo Petrov. The young participants not only learned about the work of the European Parliament but also had the opportunity to ask questions, effectively conducting a form of “parliamentary oversight.”
“I truly feel like a citizen of Europe because my questions were heard and answered,” said one of the students. Even younger students from grade 7 asked questions about politics and the priorities of the MPs. The MPs, in turn, answered in a way accessible to the young audience while maintaining mutual respect, despite representing different political parties.

Over the following days, the program was organized into sessions that provided students with active experiences and practical skills. From the official opening to games and challenges, participants were encouraged not only to absorb information but also to apply it in real-life scenarios. Each session was prepared by experienced facilitators and experts in the respective fields.

Students from grades 7 to 12 participated in interactive sessions on topics such as “Human Rights and Discrimination, Reporting Cases, Hate

Speech.” They discussed how hate speech leads to discrimination, undermining the principles of equality and respect, while also examining the role of social media as a platform for spreading such behavior.
One key takeaway was that discrimination and hate speech should not be met with aggression but with conscious and appropriate responses—through reporting mechanisms or seeking help from relevant institutions. Students highlighted that passivity makes every witness a participant, making active responses a moral obligation for every citizen. The sessions helped young people develop emotional intelligence and tolerance, encouraging them to become active defenders of human rights. Preventing discrimination requires efforts at all levels, and the knowledge gained will help participants play a key role in creating a fairer and more respectful society.

The Leadership Academy provided a unique opportunity for young participants to develop critical thinking skills and recognize misinformation. One session focused on disinformation and its forms, using interactive methods. Students analyzed real-world cases of fake news and manipulative content, learning strategies to combat misinformation in their daily lives.
A particularly valuable moment was the participation of representatives from the U.S. and Austrian Embassies in one of the online sessions. They shared international experiences in combating misinformation and answered participants’ questions, offering a global perspective on the issue. This collaboration enriched the students’ knowledge and motivated them to become active and informed leaders in their communities.

During the three-day program, students also took part in the traditional session titled School Parliaments, Civic

Engagement, and Student Ombudsmen.” Activities varied by grade level. After listening to a brief presentation, grade 7 students had to design a superhero embodying the key qualities of a leader or student ombudsman. Meanwhile, grades 8 and 9 participated in a rapid campaign design exercise, rotating every five minutes to build on the campaign ideas of previous groups.
Grades 9 and 10 elevated the energy with debates on the topic, “Should school uniforms be introduced?” simulating a typical student parliament with members both for and against the idea. A video of the debate was recorded and shared on the Leadership Academy’s Facebook event page.
The senior students (grades 11 and 12) worked on a case study: “How can the student parliament utilize unused school spaces for activities and student recreation?” They were given a hypothetical budget to manage. The idea resonated with the youth, with some drawing sketches of the spaces and others inspired to start budgeting and managing finances effectively.

During the session on preventing early marriages, groups were already formed, rules established, and friendships blossoming. The session began with dynamic warm-up games that set a positive tone and energized the participants. The topic, though serious, sparked great interest as it touches the lives of all young people—eventually, everyone builds a family.
Participants reflected on significant personal choices and the importance of the families they were born into. They expressed gratitude to their parents for their care and support in developing essential qualities like courage, determination, and perseverance. Education was highlighted as a key factor in expanding opportunities and building a better future. The discussion also touched on love as a vital and cherished part of life, to be experienced when one is ready to create a strong and sustainable family. The session provoked deep thoughts, emotions, and plans for change—both personally and within their communities. The young leaders made promises to live differently, happily, and with respect for their choices, free from harmful traditions. At the end of the session, participants were commended for their courage to resist harmful customs and their determination to continue their education. They pledged to avoid early marriages and help their peers do the same.
“Forward boldly, Leaders!” was the closing message of the session, leaving the young participants determined to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

To develop their peer education skills, participants attended a session titled “Conducting Peer Trainings – Creating Tolerance Clubs.” During this

session, young leaders learned key skills for planning and implementing training activities aimed at fostering tolerance and inclusion within the school environment. The students actively practiced various approaches to designing effective training content tailored to the specific needs and objectives of their schools. Emphasis was placed on applying creative and innovative solutions to make the training both engaging and impactful for their peers. The session aimed not only to enrich participants’ knowledge but also to enhance their presentation and communication skills, which are crucial for successfully engaging an audience. Students acquired valuable techniques to establish sustainable tolerance clubs and inspire positive change within their schools.

The session on “Roma History and Culture” was

organized as an interactive activity that engaged participants in the topic of diversity and the significance of Roma groups. The youth discussed important aspects of Roma history and culture and had the opportunity to work on creative projects. Some participants created posters dedicated to prominent Roma figures, while others prepared videos showcasing Roma communities and their contributions. During the discussions, challenges faced by young leaders in organizing peer trainings were highlighted, and strategies for overcoming them were explored. Participants also tackled a case study that underscored the importance of understanding and accepting differences among people. This task revealed how easily misunderstandings can occur when lacking complete information and how this impacts actions and relationships. The session enabled the youth to deepen their knowledge and develop sensitivity to topics such as cultural heritage, tolerance, and addressing challenges in a multicultural environment.

The session on “Organizing Campaigns” provided participants with practical

guidance and tools for creating effective campaigns to support important causes. Working in groups, the youth faced realistic cases and tasks that stimulated their creativity and organizational skills. Each group was tasked with conceptualizing and designing a campaign addressing a specific issue, including defining a clear goal, messages, target audience, and implementation steps. Participants created plans that incorporated not only the main activities but also strategies for promoting their campaigns using various communication channels. The session emphasized the importance of planning, teamwork, and adapting to the specific needs of the target group. Presentations of the developed campaigns demonstrated the youth’s deep understanding of the topics and their commitment to driving change in their communities. This session inspired young leaders to apply their acquired knowledge and skills within their schools and local communities, serving as catalysts for positive change.

The event also attracted experts from the World Bank and the Trust for Social Achievement, who engaged participants in discussions on innovative and timely topics such as financial literacy and the impact of artificial intelligence on society. These complex issues were presented in an accessible and interactive manner to captivate the young leaders and provoke meaningful discussions. The experts worked closely with the two largest student groups, enabling a deeper exploration of the topics. Financial literacy was introduced as a key skill for personal and professional success, and participants received practical advice on managing personal finances. The topic of artificial intelligence sparked lively questions about its influence on education, the workplace, and society’s future, encouraging students to reflect on their roles in a rapidly changing world. This interaction provided the youth with not only new knowledge but also inspiration to broaden their perspectives and apply what they learned in their daily lives and communities.

Participants shared that the Academy transformed their perspective on the importance of tolerance and civic engagement. The training concluded with

inspiring group presentations in which the youth showcased their plans for future campaigns and activities in their communities. The 2024 Leadership Academy left a lasting impact on all participants, fostering new friendships, ideas, and commitments for future initiatives.

“It was unforgettable; each of us created lasting memories with people we might see again next year at the Leadership Academy. There was so much emotion, love, and knowledge!” said one of the youth participants on the final day.

Center “Amalipe” continues its mission to inspire and support young people in Bulgaria, proving that tolerance and active civic engagement can overcome any barriers.

The talented David Georgiev beautifully captured the unforgettable emotions we shared with all participants of the Leadership Academy, held in Stara Zagora from November 24-27. New skills, laughter, and friendships; tolerance and understanding – experience one of our most exciting events through this video:

 

More photos from the Intercultural Academy, photographed by David Georgiev, can be found here:

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The Leadership Academy for Civic Engagement and Tolerance is implemented with the support of:

The initiative “Human Rights: Educate, Inspire, Change!” is implemented within the framework of the project “Rights and Values” and is funded by the European Union and the Open Society Institute – Sofia Foundation (OSI).

 

 

 

 

“Intercultural Academy for Civic Participation and Tolerance” took also place within the framework of the project “Intercultural Academy for Civic Participation and Tolerance”, which is implemented with the support of the U.S. State Department through the U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria.

 

 

Participants in the Leadership Academy are part of the “Every Student will be a Winner” Network, administered by the Amalipe Center with the support of the Trust for Social Achievement. The network “Every student will be a winner” unites over 300 schools from all over the country. It is coordinated by the Amalipe Center with the support of the Trust for a Social Achievement. Primary, basic, unified and secondary schools, as well as vocational high schools, participate in the network. In the past school year, participating schools reduced dropout rates to below 1%, and 173 schools had no dropouts. The percentage of young people who continue to secondary education after completing primary education is also steadily increasing: in 2010, it was only 39%, and now it is close to 95%. More information about the network can be found HERE.