The Rector Welcomed at the UNWE Seamus Boland, President of the EESC Civil Society Organizations Group

The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov met with Seamus Boland, President of the Civil Society Organizations Group III at European Economic and Social Committee /EESC/.

Seamus Boland has been a member of the EESC since 2011 representing Ireland.

In compliance with the regulated procedures and rotations, Seamus Boland is expected to be elected as President of the EESC in 2025.

Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov and Seamus Boland /from the left to the right/

The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky and Diana Indzhova, members of the European Economic and Social Committee from the Representation of Bulgaria.

Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov, Seamus Boland and Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky /from the left to the right/

At the meeting Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov presented the activities of UNWE emphasizing that it is the largest and the most successful business university in Southeast Europe having a clear vision for the future development, international cooperation and activities aimed at the career development of students. Prof. Dimitrov emphasized on the role of UNWE in the establishment of the Economic and Social Council /ESC/ of the Republic of Bulgaria pointing out that in 2003 the Bulgarian Council was registered and started its activity at the UNWE. He underlined that its first Chairman was Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky who has been re-elected to this position by the National Assembly several times for 18 years.

Mr. Boland highly appreciated the role and leading position of UNWE as the largest and the most successful business university in Southeast Europe. He also highlighted the important function of the ESC as a national partner of the EESC. Mr. Boland underlined that for the Civil Society Organizations Group III chaired by him, the education and support for young people are key priorities. On this basis during the meeting opportunities for future joint initiatives and cooperation between the EESC Group III and the UNWE were discussed.

The Rector Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov awarded to Sеamus Boland a Diploma for his contribution to the development of civil society and his support for the young people.

Mr. Boland has many years of experience in the social sector working for sustainable rural regions development, marine resources protection, youth development, economic and social cohesion.

Seamus Boland expressed his contentment with the conversation and outlined that he was honoured to obtain the Diploma.

The Rector of UNWE showed Seamus Boland the Academic Hall where are exposed the portraits of the personalities awarded with the Honorary Title of Doctor Honoris Causa of UNWE. The latter two titles were conferred on Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund /IMF/ who is a graduate and lecturer at UNWE as well as on Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission /EC/ for Economy that Works for People.

Seamus Boland also visited the UNWE Wall of Fame entitled UNWE Lecturers and Alumni - Heads of International and National Bodies and Institutions where are placed the names of hundreds of university alumni, part of the business elite and the government of the country including 10 Prime Ministers of Bulgaria.

Seamus Boland also visited Aula Maxima where the official events of UNWE are held. Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov invited Mr. Boland in the future to deliver a public lecture to the academic and student community of UNWE.

At the end of the meeting Seamus Boland expressed his thankfulness to Prof. Dimitrov for the chance to touch to the academic spirit of the largest business university in Bulgaria as well as for the opportunities for future cooperation.

The European Economic and Social Committee /EESC/ is a consultative body of the European Union based in Brussels. It is composed of 329 members. Its opinions are required on the basis of a mandatory consultation in the fields established by the Treaties or a voluntary consultation by the Commission, the Council, or Parliament. It may also issue opinions on its own initiative. Its members are not bound by any instructions. They are to be completely independent in the performance of their duties, in the EU’s general interest.

Role: a consultative body representing employers' and workers' organizations as well as other interest groups

President: Mrs. Christa SCHWENG

Composition: the EESC currently has 329 members distributed among the Member States. Bulgaria has 12 representatives. The Members work in three groups, representing "Employers" /Group I/, "Workers" /Group II/ and "Civil Society Organizations" /farmers, freelancers, consumers, etc. - Group III/. Each group has its own secretariate. The EESC Members themselves choose which group they wish to join. Members are nominated by national governments but they are appointed for a renewable five-year term of office by the Council of the European Union.

Bulgarian representation: Milena Angelova, Plamen Dimitrov, Lalko Dulevsky, Diana Indzhova, Evgeny Ivanov, Ivan Kokalov, Dimitar Manolov, Maria Mincheva, Veselin Mitov, Bogomil Nikolov, Georgy Stoev, Stoyan Chukanov

The Economic and Social Council /ESC/ of the Republic of Bulgaria started its activity in 2003 as a consultative body expressing the will of the civil society structures on economic and social development. The Chairman of the ESC since 2003 to 2021 has been Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky who is the Chairman of the UNWE General Assembly.

The mission of the ESC of Bulgaria is not only to be a partner in the governance of the state but also a powerful engine of organized civil society driven by consensus, arguments, compromises but always aimed at progress and justice.

Bulgaria is the first country from the so-called "new" EU member states to establish its own Economic and Social Council with a special law on the EESC model.