VFU "CHERNORIZETS HRABAR" IS A MEMBER OF THE UN’S NATIONAL NETWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS SDSN BULGARIA
VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" became a member of the national network for solutions for sustainable development SDSN Bulgaria, part of the global SDSN network created by the United Nations to promote the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals of the world organization. The official opening of the National Network for our country, which took place at UNWE, was attended by Prof. Galina Shamonina, PhD - General Secretary of Varna Free University. The event was attended by the President of Bulgaria for 2012-2017, Rosen Plevneliev, the rector of UNWE, Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, PhD, the vice-president and head of the Paris office of SDSN, Guillaume Lafortune, and the co-chair of SDSN Europe, SDSN Greece, Prof. Phoebe Koundouri. The event was also honoured by representatives of the Ministry of Innovation and Growth, the National Statistical Institute, the Audit Office, the Higher School of Insurance and Finance, the National Youth Forum and the Student Council at UNWE.
At the opening event, the members of the Network from Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar", the Academy of Economics "DA Tsenov" - Svishtov and the University of Thrace - Stara Zagora were presented.
Prof. Galina Shamonina thanked for the invitation to join the new university network SDSN Bulgaria. VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" has extensive experience and capacity in international cooperation.
Our university is the first in Bulgaria to be certified according to the international standard ISO 14001:2015 for environmental management. The attitude towards the environment is a leading priority and responsibility, changing both the environment and the attitude at the same time, meeting the highest standards of sustainability based on scientific, educational, economic, environmental and social criteria. The activities for the protection of the environment exceed the normative requirements and show the responsibility of the university community towards nature and society. The management of the university, students, lecturers and administration staff are united in their efforts to change attitudes related to environmental protection. VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" is a leader in circular economy education. The academic profile of the university includes a full cycle of educational products on the issue - from courses for additional qualification, through a sustainably developing master's degree programme, which was the first in Europe, also its upgrade to an educational and scientific degree "doctor". Topics related to climate change and the green transition are represented in the bachelor's and master's degree programmes in Economics, Public Administration and Management, Business Administration and Management, Architecture and others.
"SDSN Bulgaria is a real network with partners all over the world who focus on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. People do not realise how important it is and what exactly the fulfillment of these Goals requires, therefore our task is to transform them into plans, monitoring, strategies, training, so that everyone understands what they mean for their region, city, university, commented Prof. Dimitrov during the opening event.
"Bulgaria's accession to the UN Sustainable Development Goals has become part of my mission and motivation, because these Goals unite people in a global plan to achieve a humanitarian society," President Rosen Plevneliev said in his speech.
SDSN Bulgaria aims to create and develop a leading platform for the Sustainable Development Goals in Bulgaria for universities, research institutes, companies, government and local municipal bodies, as well as civil society organizations, enabling all members and partners to act for sustainable future and impact society as a whole. The network's mission is to promote the implementation of the SDG platform at the national and local level.
In September 2015, at the UN General Assembly, countries around the world signed the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). World leaders have committed to eradicating poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change are the road map to a better world and the global framework for international cooperation in the field of sustainable development and its economic, social, environmental and governance dimensions.
Photos: UNWE