PROGRAM Of the Final Conference on “Challenge” Project

PROGRAM
Of the Final Conference on “Challenge” Project
/10 – 12 March 2010/
Main Topic:
„Evolvement of Partnership Relations in Delivering Successful Ideas and Tools for Social Solidarity and Active Employment of Disadvantaged Societal Groups”

Goals of the Conference:
1) To inform participants of the Conference about the achievements of the “Challenge” Project;
2) To set new horizons for future partnerships and projects in the social sphere and labor markets;
3) To network present participants of the Project with official Bulgarian institutions and stakeholders, acting in the field of social solidarity and employment;

Place of the Conference:
Grand Conference Hall, Administration of the Governor of the Region of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Various Locations to follow the “Hands-On” Approach /see the Agenda for details/.

Official Languages of the Conference:
Bulgarian and English

Invited Participants:
Administration of the Province of Vicenca, Italy
Administration of the Province of Cuneo, Italy – Consortium CIS
Administration of the Province of Bilbao, Spain
Administration of the Province of Larnaka, Cyprus
Administration of the Governor of the Region of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Directorate “Regional Services of Employment-Plovdiv” of the Agency of Employment, Bulgaria
Regional Directorate of “Social Support” of the “Agency for Social Support”, Bulgaria
Regional Representative for South Central Region of Planning of the “Agency for Disabled People, Bulgaria
Social Foundation “Indi Roma 97”, City of Kuklen, Region of Plovdiv , Bulgaria
NGO “Earth – Source of Incomes”, Bulgaria
NGO “Samaritans”, Bulgaria
Various Institutions, Organizations, and Individuals

Moderator & Interpreter on Sessions:
Snr.Asst.Prof. Atanas Vladikov (from/to Bulgarian/English)

Media & Logistics Partner:
http://www.akademika.bg
AGENDA:

Day One /10 March 2010, Wednesday/
Presentations Panel & On-Site Visit

10:30 – 10:40

(In Bulgarian) Welcoming Speech and Opening of the Conference –
Speech: by Representative of the Administration of the Region of Plovdiv, Bulgaria

10:40 – 11:00

(In English) General Review, Key Notes, and Successful Points of the “Challenge” Project
Presentation-1: by Representative of the Province of Vicenza (the Leading Organization of the Project)

11:00 – 11:30

(In English) Bulgarian Participation and Contribution to the “Challenge” Project. Regional Practices and Transfers of Good European Practices
Presentation-2: Prof. Krastyo Petkov, PhD, National Coordinator for Bulgaria

11:30-12:00

(In English)
Comparisons of the Labor Market in Bulgaria to the Labor Market of EU-27, Focus on the Regional and National Statistics, Data, Trends & Comments for Bulgaria
Presentation-3: Snr.Asst. Prof. Atanas Vladikov, Researcher

12:00 – 13:30 Lunch Break
(Pizza “Castello”, next to the Administration of the Governor of Plovdiv)
/Form of Payment: Pay-As-You-Order; an average pizza with a glass of wine, beer or beverage ~ ?7-?10 /

13:30 – 14:00 Trip to the City of Kuklen, Municipality of Kuklen, Region of Plovdiv

14:00 – 16:00

(In Bulgarian) Visit of an Educational-Qualification Center for Romas and Disadvantaged Social Groups. On-Site Presentation of Good Bulgarian Practices of Social Inclusion and Labor Market Inclusion
Host and Presenter: Mrs. Albena Kostadinova, Chairman of the Board of Social Foundation “Indi Roma 97”, City of Kuklen, Region of Plovdiv

16:00 – 16:30
Return Trip to the Places of Residence at the City of Plovdiv
16:30 – 18:00 Go sightseeing in the Old Town of Plovdiv

19:30 – 22:30
Unofficial Dinner at a restaurant (with a Menu in English)
/Form of Payment: Pay-As-You-Order; an average dinner (soup, salad, main meal, desert, glass of wine, beer or beverage ~ ?15)

Day Two /11 March 2010, Thursday/
On-Site Visits in Stara Zagora

08:15 – 08:30
Gathering for the Trip to the City of Stara Zagora, Municipality of Stara Zagora

08:30 – 09: 30
Trip to Stara Zagora (driving on the highway)

09:30 – 12:00
Visit of a Social Enterprise, NGO – “Samaritans”.
On-Site Presentation of On-Going Projects and Programs & Emerging Practices in Bulgarian Reality.
Host and Presenter: Mr. Dimo Dimov, NGO – “Samaritans”.

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch Break
/Form of Payment: Pay-As-You-Order/

13:00 – 15:00
Visit of the Production of Honey Field & Facilities of the NGO – “Samaritans”. On-Site Presentation of their Program: “Buy a Beehive – Save a Child!”
Host and Presenter: Mr. Dimo Dimov, NGO – “Samaritans”.

15:00 – 15:30
Coffee Break
/Form of Payment: Pay-As-You-Order; a cup of coffee ~ ?0,50-?1/

15:30 – 18:00
Visiting Places of Interests with a Guide, at the City of Stara Zagora

18:00 – 19:30
Cocktail
Hosted by the NGO “Samaritans”

19:30 – 20:30
Return Trip to the Places of Residence at the City of Plovdiv

Day Three /12 March 2010, Friday/
Presentations & Discussions Panel

09:30 – 10:00

(In English)
Summary of Good Bulgarian Practices and Challenges to Bulgarian Institutions and NGOs in combating poverty, social exclusions, social alienation and unemployment, Prof. Krastyo Petkov, PhD, National Coordinator for Bulgaria

10:00 – 10:30
(In English)
Experience of Vicenza and Good Practices for Social Inclusion, Social Solidarity and Employment, Representative from Vicenza – Mr. Enzo Iodice:
– Model of governance, public policies and tools for the inclusion of disadvantage targets in labour market
– Networks between policy makers and public services and third sector

10:30 – 11:00
(In English)
Experience of Cuneo and Good Practices for Social Inclusion, Social Solidarity and Employment, Representative from Cuneo – Mr. Mauro Giacosa
– The role of the third sector in the inclusion of disadvantage targets in labour market
– The organizational forms of the third sector: cooperatives and consortium

11:00 – 11:30
(In English)
Experience of Larnaka and Good Practices for Social Inclusion, Social Solidarity and Employment, Representative from Larnaka

11:30 – 12:00
(In English)
Experience of Bilbao and Good Practices for Social Inclusion, Social Solidarity and Employment, Representative from Bilbao

12:00 – 13:30

Lunch Break
(Pizza “Castello”, next to the Administration of the Governor of Plovdiv)
/Form of Payment: Pay-As-You-Order; an average pizza with a glass of wine, beer or beverage ~ ?7-?10 /

13:30 – 15:50

Discussions & Comments & Conclusions of the Partners
• Networking Options;
• Virtual Laboratories;
• Review of the Green Paper;
• Review of the Handbook for operators
• Final Documents and Non-Paper Documents;

15:50 – 16:00

Final Remarks & Notes. Closing of the Conference, Prof. Krastyo Petkov, PhD, National Coordinator for Bulgaria