Youth in Focus: Mayoral Candidates Hear the Voices of Young People During Debates in Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo was the first city where the Amalipe Center and active youth organized pre-election debates with mayoral candidates. The event took place on October 23, providing an opportunity for students to ask important questions to political figures and share their concerns and expectations.

The idea for youth debates emerged after a successful youth training conducted by the Amalipe Center in early October. Participants expressed a desire to organize debates where they would be central figures, presenting topics that concern them. The Amalipe Center supported and encouraged this initiative.

The goals of the pre-election youth debates were diverse and included:

1. Demonstrating to young people how to conduct substantive and constructive public debates based on evidence and arguments, without personal attacks.
2. Providing young people the opportunity to pose questions and ideas related to education and youth policies in their city to mayoral candidates.
3. Allowing candidates to hear the voices of young people and discuss different visions and measures for the development of effective educational and youth policies that promote civic engagement and tolerance.

It is important to note that the youth debates were not associated with party interests, and all participants were treated equally during the events.

Candidates for mayor were invited ONLY FROM THE PARTIES AND COALITIONS REPRESENTED IN THE 49TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: GERB-SDS, the Coalition “Continuing the Change – Democratic Bulgaria,” BSP for Bulgaria, and Ima takuv narod (There Is Such a People). Candidates from the Revival (Vuzrazhdane) party were not invited, in line with Amalipe Center’s policy not to maintain relations with parties and coalitions with extreme-nationalist and anti-European characteristics.

In Veliko Tarnovo, participants included Irena Stassinopoulou (BSP for Bulgaria), Yordan Terziyski (Coalition “Continuing the Change – Democratic Bulgaria”), and Momchil Ivanov (Political Party “There Is Such a People”). They showed patience, listened to all youth questions, and responded courteously and in detail, despite not having prior knowledge of them.

Key topics addressed during the debates included important issues such as public transportation, the role of community centers, the preservation of cultural-historical heritage, and many others. The youth demonstrated their readiness to engage in the future of their cities and offer constructive ideas. They also expressed concerns in social and cultural aspects. Discussions around community centers were particularly interesting, focusing on revitalizing their potential as civic spaces and ensuring access to cultural institutions for people with disabilities. Young people were also concerned about whether candidates would support talented youth and those from socially disadvantaged families.It is interesting to note that young people want 1 day a week when the future mayor has an appointment time specifically for them.

Participation in such youth debates is of utmost importance for young people and society as a whole. They contribute not only to increasing civic engagement and tolerance but also give students and youth the opportunity to ask questions related to youth issues to mayoral candidates. This commitment shows that youth topics are important, and politicians are willing to listen to them.

To ensure broad access to the events, the Amalipe Center provided live streaming of the debates on its Facebook page. The video is also uploaded to Center Amalipe YouTube channel.

Organizers express gratitude to all participants and encourage young people to take an active civic stance, as this is the key to a better future. The Amalipe Center and active youth aim to continue supporting similar initiatives as a way to build a better and more democratic Bulgaria.

The youth debates “Local Elections 2023” were implemented within the project “Intercultural Academy for Civic Participation and Tolerance,” carried out by the Amalipe Center, the Open Society Foundation – Sofia, the Forum for Civil Participation, and nine schools in the country.

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