The Title of Honorary Professor of UNWE Was Awarded to Ambassador Campagnola

The title of Honorary Professor of UNWE in Political Sciences and Human Rights was awarded to Ambassador Gian Battista Campagnola by the Rector of the university Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev. Ambassador Campagnola gave a public speech on the topic: Bulgaria - the Process of Joining to the European Union and Human Rights of People with Disabilities.  

“Ambassador Gian Battista Campagnola is famous all over the world as a hearty man with an extreme social sensitivity and true nobility, with his huge contribution and care for the protection of human rights, commitment to solve the problems of people with disabilities as well as a friend of Bulgaria”, thus the guest was presented by Prof. Stattev. At the Ceremonial Hall attended Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Prime Minister of Bulgaria since 2001 to 2005, H. E. Marco Conticelli, Ambassador of Italy to Bulgaria, Zohara Campagnola - wife of Ambassador Campagnola, awarded by the Bulgarian President with the medal “Madarski konnik” for her special merits to the development of social services for people with disabilities as well as for her significant contribution to the drive against cancer troubles, Dr. Diana Indjof, Director of the Center for Psychological Research, Mincho Koralsky, Director Executive of the Disabled People Agency, Vice-Rectors, Deans, lecturers, guests and students.

From the right to the left: Dr. Diana Indjof, Ambassador Campagnola, Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev, Simeon-Saxe-Coburgh-Gotha, Prof. Dr. Georgy Yankov

The Academic Leadership makes constant efforts so that the 120 students with disabilities studying at our university to feel equal in rights with their colleagues. It`s not only our policy but also our conviction and cause and the facts eloquently confirm it, pointed out the Rector of UNWE Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev. He outlined that the Inter-University Center for Career Development had been the initiator for publishing of the first guide in Braille for students with visual impairments in Bulgaria, it had also elaborated a Code and best practices for creating an open and accessible academic environment for the blind people, held courses on sign language working on various projects on equality in rights and professional orientation of those students. The Rector said that blind young people could enjoy the speaking program at the library and website of UNWE, the computer stations at the library specially equipped for them, the information system Student, etc.

Among the attendees at the public lecture were also the members of  the Rectors Leadership

Last year 57 of our students volunteers were educated for social assistants and now two Doctoral students with disabilities are educated at the Economic Sociology and Regional Development Departments on the project specially elaborated for them and led by Prof. Maria Stoyanova. It is forthcoming the publication of the first handbook for Doctoral candidates and Doctoral students with disabilities in Bulgaria, pointed out Prof. Stattev.

It`s an honour for me to inform you that on the proposal of Prof. Dr. Georgy Yankov, Head of the Political Science Department, the Rectors Council decided to award the title of Honorary Professor of UNWE in Political Science and Human Rights to Ambassador Campagnola, announced Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev and bestowed a special plaque on Campagnola.

Prof. Stattev is awarding the plaque to Campagnola.

The Rector presented the new Honorary Professor of UNWE as he outlined that Gian Battista Campagnola had been the Ambassador of Italy to Bulgaria since 2003 to 2006 and had contributed to the activation of bilateral relations between both countries in political, economic, cultural and educational area. His personal merits to the accession of Bulgaria in the European Union are undisputable, emphasized Prof. Stattev. He also outlined the impressive activity of Ambassador Campagnola in the field of human rights as an initiator of causes and long-term strategies for endowment, support and development of the social services for people with disabilities. For his noble work as an Ambassador the Honorary sign “Humanity” has been awarded to H. E. Gian Battista Campagnola by the mayor of Sofia. He is also the winner of the title Ambassador of All-Times for USA- Italy, Knight and Knight-Officer of the Order of Merit of Italy, Commander of the Order of the Republic of San Marino, a Senior Officer of the Order of Merit of Italy, the winner of the Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure of the Rising Sun, First Degree.

Students at the Ceremonial Hall.

I accepted the invitation of UNWE and the opportunity to be back in the country I love with a great excitement, said the Honorary Professor of UNWE Gian Battista Campagnola. He greeted the Rector for his care and responsibility to the students with disability at our university creating the necessary conditions for their education. The lecturer shared his experience as a diplomat who had returned to work in Uganda, Indonesia and Miami, USA. He specified also his activity as an Ambassador of Italy in our country, his participation in negotiations for the membership of Bulgaria in the European Union and outlined that despite the diversity of the countries in the community the union is what makes the power.

Gian Battista Campagnola expressed his thankfulness for the possibility of being at the UNWE among students to the Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev. After his lecture in response to student questions Campagnola specified that the relations between Bulgaria and Italy had always been fruitful. Ambassador Campagnola expressed his confidence in the development of the European Union and pointed out: “We believe in Europe but in a different Europe which should take more care about the needs of citizens. We are grateful to the politicians who work for it.”  

The plaques awarded to the Rector of the university by Ambassador Campagnola

On behalf of the Center for Psychological Research Campagnola bestowed a plaque on the Rector Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev “for his academic work and human rights protection as well as for his contribution to the development of innovative academic programs for inclusion of students with disabilities”. He also awarded a plaque to the UNWE “in sigh of recognition for the exemplary support of students with disabilities in Bulgaria”.

In the Golden Book of the university keeping over the years the epistles of authoritative personalities from Bulgaria and abroad Campagnola wrote: “What an honour to be part of such a distinguished university. As a Honorary Professor I`ll try to fulfil my duty. Viva la Bulgaria!”

The epistle in the Golden Book