Europe as a Global Actor

"The Roles and Responsibilities of Europe and the US in the New World Order and Digital Revolution: Exploring the Political, Economic, and Cultural Dimensions"

(Sofia; April 20th - 21st, 2011)

Under the Patronage of

H.E. Tsetska Tsacheva

President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria

and with special support of

Ministry of Defense

April 20th - 21st, 2011
Sofia, Central Military Club


20th April (Wednesday)
9:00 - 9:30 Opening
Dr. Solomon Passy, President & Founder, Atlantic Club Bulgaria
H.E. Avgustina Tsvetkova, Deputy Minister of Defence
H.E. Chun Bee-ho, Ambassador of South Korea to Bulgaria
9:30 - 10:30 Europe and the US as global peacemakers 
(Focus: Humanitarian intervention, peacekeeping, hard vs. soft power)

Moderator: Georgi Koritarov, journalist

Speakers:
Dr. Zhelyu Zhelev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria (1990 - 1997)
H.E. James B. Warlick, Ambassador of the United States to Bulgaria
H.E. Valeri Ratchev, Head of the Political Cabinet, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
H.E. Meglena Plugtschieva, Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria and Minister of EU funds (2008 - 2009)
10:30 - 10:45 Coffee Break
10:45 - 12:15 European and US activity to promote democracy and human rights abroad
(Focus: The External Action Service, European NGOs, development aid)

Moderator: Mira Badzeva, Journalist BNT

Speakers:
Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (2005 - 2009)
H.E. Karel-van Kesteren, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bulgaria
H.E. John Rowan, Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland to Bulgaria
Hristo Gudjev, Americas Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Dragomir Draganov, Professor in Sofia University
12:15 - 14:00 Buffet lunch
14:00 - 15:30 Protest, revolution, and democracy in North Africa: Examining the relationship
(Focus: Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, Saudia Arabia)

Moderator: Simeon Vassilev, journalist

Speakers:
H.E. Sheila M. Camerer, Ambassador of South Africa to Bulgaria
Svetoslav Ivanov, reporter, BTV
Diliana Gaytandjieva, reporter, Nova Tv
Rosen Iliev, operator, Nova Tv
Andrey Raichev, sociologist, Gallup International
15:30 - 15:45 Coffee Break
15:45 - 17:00 The digital revolution and new form of active citizenship
(Focus: The blogosphere, social media, Wikileaks, online campaigns, Facebook, Twitter)

Moderator: Dimitar Tsonev, journalist, BNT

Speakers:
Nikolay Vassilev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy (2001 - 2005), Minister of State Administration and Administrative Reform (2005-2009)
Martin Zahariev, CEO, Eyevision and WEB Radio & TV
Maxim Behar, CEO, M3 Communications Group, Inc.
Solomon Passy, President & Founder, Atlantic Club Bulgaria
Mia Santova, Journalist, TV7
17:00 - 17:30 Closing remarks
17:30 Cocktail
21st April 2011 (Thursday)
9:30 - 10:00 Opening
H.E. Tsetska Tsacheva, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria
10:00 - 11:45 The foreign policy innovations of the Lisbon Treaty: 
(Focus: Decision-making, external action service, the EU Commission, EU Council, voting)

Moderator: Gergana Passy, Minister of European Affairs (2007 - 2009)

Speakers:

H.E. Tsvetan Tsvetanov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
Nikolay Svinarov, Minister of Defense (2001 - 2005)
Meglena Kuneva, EU Commissioner (2007 - 2010)
Stefan Sofiyansky, Prime Minister of Bulgaria (1997), Mayor of Sofia (1995-2005)
H.E. Judith Lang, Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary to Bulgaria
H.E. Marc Michielsen, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Bulgaria
H.E. Lyubomir Ivanov, Director, UN and Global Affairs Directorate
11:45 - 12:00 Closing remarks
12:00 Gala Lunch
(Celebration of 20th anniversary of the Atlantic Club Bulgaria)