Kristian Vigenin held a frank conversation with students from Yambol and Aytos about the future of Europe and Bulgaria

Bulgarian MEP from the Group of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament Kristian Vigenin met the principal, the teachers and the students of the St Kliment Ohridski secondary school in Yambol, a European Parliament ambassador school. He held a frank conversation about Europe, about the role of Bulgaria in the EU and about the role of young people in building the future of the continent.

The students shared their impressions, ideas and dreams, and Kristian Vigenin told them about his work and about the ways in which active citizen participation can influence the policies pursued by the European Union.

“This meeting was an unforgettable experience, full of new knowledge, motivation and a sense of belonging to the big European family,” the school management said. Kristian Vigenin thanked the principal Ms Galina Aleksandrova for the support and inspiration she gives the students, as well as the senior ambassadors Ms Sonya Nedeva and Ms Maria Karamarkova for their dedication and care for the St Kliment Ohridski school.

The MEP received a gift, a hand-painted icon made by students and teachers, as a symbol of respect, inspiration and spiritual connection.

Meeting at Hristo Botev Secondary School in Aytos

Kristian Vigenin met teachers and students from the Hristo Botev secondary school in Aytos, also a European Union ambassador school. In the school library he talked with the students from the 9a and 9b classes, as well as with the children from the “I love you, Europe!” club.

The guest was welcomed with the school anthem, and then a tasty surprise awaited him, handmade biscuits in the shape of the Bulgarian and the European flag, decorated with the words “Hristo Botev school” and “I love you, Europe”. They were prepared by a former student of the school, which was a pleasant and unexpected surprise for Kristian Vigenin.

The euro, social media and the jobs of the future

The students asked topical questions that prompted a lively and frank conversation. On the topic of the introduction of the euro, Vigenin assured the young people that there is no reason to worry, because the process will be smooth and well prepared for everyone. The MEP talked about the opportunities the European Union offers to school and university students, youth programmes for exchange, training and personal development.

The discussion about the monitoring of messages and chats on social networks was lively. Kristian Vigenin explained that there are such ideas, aimed at preventing the spread of unacceptable content and paedophilia, but he stressed that the European Parliament defends the personal space of every person and puts it at the centre of its decisions. The question of changing the clocks twice a year was not skipped either. The general view heard during the conversation was that it is high time this practice was ended.

Kristian Vigenin shared how important lifelong learning is and gave a personal example, he himself is a fifth-year law student at Sofia University, and his son is a first-year student in the same programme.

The topics of artificial intelligence, the professions of the future, and the role of social networks and phones in the daily life of students were discussed. On parting, the young people thanked Kristian Vigenin for the frank conversation and for showing them that their voice matters in Europe.