Today is a historical day! The Garden Association launched its first Google Hangout: Bulgaria in 2013 and beyond.
We are pleased to inform you that this is the first hangout on social and political topics in Bulgaria, so our event had a really historical meaning. We want to use the new information technologies and social media for the benefits of the civil society, and Google Hangout is an excellent tool to achieve this purpose.
We see Google Hangouts as a tool for the development of direct democracy by small communities and civic groups, which can share and discuss ideas with the rest of society. In times of a severe political, social and economic crisis in Bulgaria, we invited several prominent social activists and thinkers to share their opinions and ideas on the overarching theme "Bulgaria in 2013th and Beyond".
Our guests were:
+Denitsa Sacheva - PR expert, professor of Political communication at New Bulgarian University, nominated for the award "Human of the year 2012" in Bulgaria, known for hew humanitarian work with immigrants and refugees, who suddenly switched her social role and decided to go into political life.
+Bogomil Shopov - a prominent blogger and activists for internet rights and access to information, co-founder of the NGO "Electronic border", ex-candidate member of the European parliament, co-founder of the Bulgarian Pirate party.
+Polina Paunova - journalist from the highly respected website Mediapool.bg and co-founder of the non-formal alternative media group "Angry Young Men" who broadcast various social actions, which are usually not covered by the "traditional" mainstream media.
+Todor Tanev, PhD - professor of Political Science and Head of Public Administration department at Sofia University "Sv. Kliment Ohridski", expert of strategic planning, who took part in the creation of the National strategy of Armenia.
Our additional guest was Mr +Ivan Delchev, entrepreneur and internet marketing expert, co-founder and co-owner of a small company, where he is heading the Quality Assurance department.
The hangout's topics were: how did we get here, what happens with the civil society in Bulgaria, what are the similarities and differences in the protests of 2012 and early 2013, how citizens can influence the politicians, what needs to be changed in this country and how, what must be the very first priority for the new state's government, and so etc.
Because of our lack of experience, we made one weakness in the hangout: the side noise. I was in a hurry and I choose a place nearby the street. Also one participant's washing machine was working :) But still it was an experiment, there was a meaningful conversation with great participants, and, Gosh, we did it!
