MEdIES was happy to take part in the organisation of yet one more Summer University, this year in the Central Balkan Biosphere Reserve (BR) in Bulgaria. For one week, from 21 to 28 July 2019, the newly established Central Balkan BR was home to more than 35 young experts, PhD students, and staff of BRs from 15 countries, chosen from 125 applications, from all over the world.
This was the fifth one in a series of Summer Universities that have been established and co-organized by MIO-ECSDE and the UNESCO Venice Office, supported every time by a different BR or a candidate BR. The previous ones were held in Amfissa, Greece (2014), Samothraki Greece (2016), Sardinia, Italy (2017), and Parnon, Greece (2018), focusing on topics of designation and functioning of Biosphere Reserves within the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme of UNESCO.
The 2019 edition of the Summer University focused on the topics of Integrated Management, Sustainable Tourism and BR Promotion. It was co-organised with the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation. The national and local hosts and supporters include the Ministry of Environment and Water, the National MAB Committee of Bulgaria, the Directory of “Central Balkan” National Park, the Karlovo Municipality, the Troyan Municipality, the National Bulgarian Commission for UNESCO, the Chateau Copsa, Rozino Organic Farm, the National Exhibition of Artistic Crafts and Arts, the village Oreshak, the Hotel Caza Art, and the project “Unity”.
It was an intensive, multidisciplinary and experiential training that aimed to develop the understanding and competences of the participants on the management of Biosphere Reserves as "laboratories" and "catalysts" for Sustainable Development. During the week, in a program combining theoretical sessions, practical work and many visits, the participants were introduced and discussed the future of Biosphere Reserves.
Detailed Agenda of the event
Presentations (in line with the agenda)
00 Katrin Tomova, BBF, Welcome to the Summer University
01 Vladimir Vladimirov, MAB Bulgaria, The Bulgarian Biosphere Reserves within the MAB Programme
02 Jonathan Baker, UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, Overview of the MAB Programme of UNESCO
03 Sergey Alexandrov,CBNP, The Central Balkan Biosphere Reserve of Bulgaria
04 Stanislav Georgiev, RIEW Burgas, The Uzunbudzhak BR of Bulgaria
05 Momchil Petrov, RIOSV, The Srebarna BR of Bulgaria
06 Michael Scoullos, MaB UNESCO Greece, Integrated Approaches and Methods for the Sustainable Management of BRs
07 Filippo Lenzerini, Punto3, BR expert, Exchange of experiences and peer training among local stakeholders in BRs
08 Michael Scoullos, MaB UNESCO Greece, Education for Sustainable Development in BRs
09 Stoyan Nedkov, BAS, About the Ecosystem Services
10 Sergey Alexandrov,CBNP, The Central Balkan National Park of Bulgaria
11 Filippo Lenzerini, Punto 3, BR expert, Branding Strategies of BRs
12 Eleonora Yosifova, BAAT, Sustainable Turism: Mission Possible
13 Rossen Vassilev, BBF, Botanical Tours as an education and promotional tool
14 Desislava Dimitrova, BAS, Food Culture and Biodiversity Conservation
15 Stoyan Stoyanov, Festivals as a promotional tool for attracting tourists
Groupwork Outcomes and Recomendations
Group A - Joint communication project among BRs
Group B – Involving Young People in BRs
Group C - Enhancement of local products and tourist services for the sustainable development of the territory
Group D – Education for Sustainable Development in the Central Balkan BR
Further Links and downloads
Co-Organisers - Supporters - Sponsors
- Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation,
- Central Balkan Biosphere Reserve,
- UNESCO Regional Bureau of Science and Culture in Europe,
- Ministry of Environment and Water of the Republic of Bulgaria,
- Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE), through the MEdIES Initiative
- UNESCO Chair and Network on Sustainable Development Management and Education in the Mediterranean of UoA,
- Karlovo Municipality,
- Troyan Municipality,
- Permanent Representation of UNESCO in Bulgaria,
The event was supported also by the local organic pharms, winery, hotels, and businesses which were hosts and sponsors of the events.
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