Republic of Bulgaria Economic and Social Council www.esc.bg Republic of Bulgaria Economic and Social Council Lalko Dulevski Ph.D. President 07/02/2008

www.esc.bg Main forms of the activities of the Economic and Social Council of Bulgaria on the implementation of the Lisbon strategy Adoption of opinions on the global goals of the Lisbon strategy Adoption of opinions on the strategic issues of the Lisbon strategy implementation Organisation of public discussions, conferences and roundtables Organisation of public consultations 07/02/2008 www.esc.bg

Adoption of opinions on the global goals of the Lisbon strategy www.esc.bg Adoption of opinions on the global goals of the Lisbon strategy Opinion on “The Lisbon Strategy of the European Union and the Policy of the Republic of Bulgaria for the Achievement of a Competitive and Prosperous Economy” /own initiative/ Opinion on the “Draft National Reform Programme of the Republic of Bulgaria (2006 -2009) Growth and Jobs” /requested by the Council of Ministers/ 07/02/2008 www.esc.bg

www.esc.bg Adoption of opinions on the strategic issues of the Lisbon strategy implementation Opinion on “Demographic Trends and Challenges to the Demographic Policy of Bulgaria” Opinion on “Vocational Education and Training Issues in Bulgaria” Opinion on “Income Policy as a Main Platform for Improving the Quality of Life, and a Factor of Poverty Reduction in Bulgaria” Opinion on “Informal Economy and Measures for its Restriction” Opinion on “Problems of the Pension System in Bulgaria” 07/02/2008 www.esc.bg

Organisation of the public consultations www.esc.bg Organisation of the public consultations Public consultations differ as a form from the public discussions, conferences and roundtables Public consultations are conducted on the request of the ESC, the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers or President of the Republic The consultations are organised on the basis of a proposal from the initiating institution on strategic economic and social issues 07/02/2008 www.esc.bg

Organisation of the public consultations www.esc.bg Organisation of the public consultations When the public consultations are organised by the ESC, the Council presents an adopted opinion or its agreed position During these public consultations a consensus is sought between the positions of the ESC and the main state institutions The public consultations outline also the principal differences between the ECS and the state institutions’ positions 07/02/2008 www.esc.bg

Organised public consultations www.esc.bg Organised public consultations Public consultations on the draft four-year Government’s Programme /proposed by the Council of Ministers/ Public consultations on the Opinion adopted by the Council on the Pension System in Bulgaria - /proposed by the ESC/ Public consultations on the draft Income Policy Strategy 2007-2009 /proposed by the Council of Ministers/ Public consultations on the National Development Plan /2007-2013/ and Operative Programmes /proposed by the ESC/ 07/02/2008 www.esc.bg

www.esc.bg Some main ESC’ proposals taken into consideration by the government and the National Assembly of Bulgaria The ESC has proposed drawing up a national strategy on population development and its qualitative reproduction. Result: a National Strategy for Demographic Development of Bulgaria 2006-2020 and a 2006-2007 Plan for its implementation have been adopted. The ESC has proposed adopting a long-term National Strategy for the Development of Education in Bulgaria and undertaking measures to involve business, state institutions and other stakeholders in accelerating the implementation of the strategy for lifelong learning. Result: a National Strategy for Continuing Vocational Training to 2010 has been adopted. 07/02/2008 www.esc.bg

www.esc.bg Some main ESC’ proposals taken into consideration by the government and the National Assembly of Bulgaria The ESC has proposed establishing a fund entitled ‘Investment in Youth’ to accumulate resources for higher educational degrees and better qualifications for Bulgarian youth. Result: in the state budget 2008 some resources are foreseen for similar objectives. The ESC has proposed establishing a separate state institution on migration to ensure monitoring of the migration processes and undertaking the necessary regulatory actions. Result: an interagency working group is working at the moment on the development of a national migration policy under the guidance of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Ivaylo Kalfin. 07/02/2008 www.esc.bg

www.esc.bg Some main ESC’ proposals taken into consideration by the government and the National Assembly of Bulgaria The ESC has proposed the partial introduction of a regulated voucher system at universities, colleges and vocational schools and creating a competitive environment in the educational system. Result: in 2008 the government is going to apply similar measures. 07/02/2008 www.esc.bg

Public interest in ESC’ activities www.esc.bg Public interest in ESC’ activities The ESC’s proposals arouse broad public interest, which is evidence of the particular public sensitivity to the issues discussed. The ESC cooperates with various state institutions, organises public consultations, forums and discussions on economic and social issues and on the main state strategic documents. These are broadly covered by the media whereby for 2007 there were over 400 publications of the Council’s activities in various print and electronic media. 07/02/2008 www.esc.bg

Thank you for your attention www.esc.bg Thank you for your attention Lalko Dulevski Ph.D. President 07/02/2008 www.esc.bg