Government, Parliament and Trade Unions Celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the Economic and Social Council in the Granite Hall of the Council of Ministers
The Rector of the UNWE Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov was an official guest at the solemn plenary session on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Economic and Social Council /ESC/ of the Republic of Bulgaria which was held in the Granite Hall of the Council of Ministers.
 |
| Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov and Zornitsa Rusinova, Chairperson of the ESC |
The event was attended by the President of the National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov, the Prime Minister Acad. Nikolay Denkov, ministers, ambassadors and guests.
 |
| Rosen Zhelyazkov, Zornitsa Rusinova, Acad. Nikolay Denkov |
"In times of health, economic and political turbolence the Economic and Social Council /ESC/ has shown that it can be a corrective to the executive and legislative power and to tell the truth to the citizens of the country", said Zornitsa Rusinova, Chairperson of the ESC which was established at the UNWE.
She expressed her contentment that the organization's celebration was attended by many partners and representatives of the political elite. "For me this means that the mission set by the legislator 20 years ago - to create the first democratic advisory body in Bulgaria that allows the business and civil society organizations to actively participate in decision-making – is implemented", outlined Rusinova. "The ESC played an important role in Bulgaria's accession process when we became a member of the EU, and now the ESC plays an important role in Bulgaria's accession to the eurozone", added Rusinova. "The fact that former presidents of the National Assembly, ministers, MPs and partners, part of the current government, partners from France, Spain, Greece and Luxembourg are present today shows that the opinion of civil society is respected in Bulgaria. I believe that we will continue to fully support the legislature, the executive and the presidency in the future," added Rusinova. "The fact that today the event is attended by former Presidents of the National Assembly, ministers, Members of Parliament and partners, part of the current government, partners from France, Spain, Greece and Luxembourg, shows that the opinion of the civil society is respected in Bulgaria. I believe that we will continue to fully support the legislative, executive and the presidency power in the future", said the Chairperson of the ESC.
 |
Within the framework of the Forum the Council was awarded prizes for merits for strengthening the role of organized civil society in Bulgaria.
The former interim Prime Minister Galab Donev, graduate of UNWE and current Head of the Cabinet of President Rumen Radev, awarded a prize to Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky, the first President of the ESC /in the period 17.09.2003 - 24.01.2021/ and President of the UNWE General Assembly.
 |
| Prof. Dr. Lalko Dulevsky and Gulab Donev |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The Economic and Social Council /ESC/ of the Republic of Bulgaria was established by the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria Act /published in SG 41/2001/. The ESC /also called 'the Council'/ is a budget-dependent legal entity based in Sofia and it is a secondary budget authorizing body of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The ESC is "a consultative body that expresses the will of civil society structures for economic and social development".
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 aiming at progress and justice.
The establishment of the ESC as a new institution of civil dialogue in Bulgaria marked a new stage in the development of organized civil society.
The Council was constituted as a functioning body when it held its first plenary session on 10 December 2003. On 25 January 2021 it began its fourth four-year mandate.
Bulgaria is the first country of the so-called "new" EU member states to create its own Economic and Social Council with a special law and without the involvement of the state. The creation itself and the existence of the ESC has changed both the political environment in Bulgaria and the socio-economic and industrial relations as the Council is a platform for agreement between the employers, the trade unions and the NGOs with different interests.
The establishment of such a democratic civil society institution was one of our country's commitments as part of the accession process to the European Union which it has successfully implemented.
By the full membership of Bulgaria in the EU on 1 January 2007 the ESC was faced to new challenges and tasks. Today it is one of the national councils of the member states of the EU, which are highly valued, recognized and respected by the European institutions for their work in promoting and developing new forms of the civil dialogue in Bulgaria.
