“I am proud to be patron of a program for personal development, which builds active and responsible young people who are committed to the development of society.” This is what President Rosen Plevneliev said at the presentation of the achievements of the International award of the Duke of Edinburgh for the first year since its start in Bulgaria. More than 900,000 youths from 140 countries worldwide take part in the largest program for personal development.
The President voiced his gratitude to the participants, as well as to the state institutions, the educational institutions, the NGOs and the business circles for their support for the success of the first steps of the program in Bulgaria. “The time and efforts we have dedicated are a long-term investment in the future development not only of the participants, but also of our society as a whole. Our country needs knowledgeable, capable and enterprising citizens who think ahead, implement the good ideas and boldly face challenges,” the President emphasized.
The program for personal development has produced its first results in Bulgaria – the leaders and mentors who will work with the participants have already undergone training and in the next two months 90 youths in Bulgaria will compete to complete their bronze or silver stage of the Program. “Nobody knows better than you do what your interests and ambitions are. Some have chosen to work with underprivileged children, others support ecological causes and develop their skills. However, each one of you has had the courage to alone set their aim and try to achieve it,” the President addressed the young people. The Head of State emphasized that the knowledge and self-confidence acquired in the process of training will become a solid basis on which the participants in the Program will build their future.
The President wished the young people to continue to build their personalities, to popularize the Program in Bulgaria and in the region and to successfully pass through the highest golden stage of the International award of the Duke of Edinburgh by implementing their projects in support of society.