Information day for promoting the ombudsman institution in Bulgaria in the city of Gotse Delchev
On October 17, 2003, an information day on the ombudsman institution was held in the city of Gotse Delchev. The event was organized jointly by CSD and Egida Foundation - Gotse Delchev.
The seminar was attended by representatives of the local administration, NGOs, judiciary and media.
The president of Egida Foundation Mr. Krassimir Somlev introduced the guests and acquainted the participants with the ombudsman institution and the necessity of its establishment in Bulgaria.
The Sofia Municipality Public Mediator Ms. Antoaneta Tzoneva presented the work of her office and the main difficulties in the process of creating the legal framework of and introducing the institution in Bulgaria.
Mr. Svetoslav Georgiev, Expert at the Office of Sofia Municipality Public Mediator, spoke on the main practical aspects of the activity of the local ombudsman type institutions. He pointed out that the local public mediator should be very well acquainted with the Bulgarian legislation, especially the acts concerning local self-government and local administration as well as with the work of municipal administration.
Mr. Georgi Stoev from Egida Foundation spoke on the public attitudes in Gotse Delchev municipality towards the ombudsman institution and the lack of interest among the local administration. He underlined the necessity of raising public awareness of the institution through organizing such events so that the institution would be established in the municipality under the pressure of the civil society.
Mr. Plamen Masurliev, Expert at New Alternatives Association acquainted the participants with the most significant documents of the Council of Europe concerning the ombudsman institution as well as with the legal framework of the European ombudsman.
The Program Secretary of the CSD Law Program Ms. Rossitsa Elazar presented the CSD and Coalition 2000 activities supporting the introduction of the ombudsman institution in Bulgaria on both national and local level.
