The University of Library Studies and Information Technologies and the National Scientific Program – Security and Defense Held the First International Scientific Forum

According the implementation of activities under the National Scientific Program – Security and Defense (NSPSD) and the Project for partial financing of a scientific event at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria, on September 9, 2022, the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT) held a Regional round table with international participation on the topic “National Security, Identity and Media in the Conditions of Global Political and Economic Crisis”. The forum took place in the newly opened Ataturk Cultural Center of Edirne municipality. Great credit for the organization of the event have Mr. Recep Gurkan – the Mayor of Edirne Municipality, Mr. Petar Kirov – the Mayor of Elhovo Municipality and arch. Anastas Karchev – Mayor of Svilengrad Municipality.

In the work of the Regional Round Table, 30 reports and scientific announcements were presented by scientists and PhD students from 5 NATO member countries – Turkey, Germany, North Macedonia, Austria and Bulgaria.

The event was led by Prof. Stoyan Denchev, President of General Assembly of the ULSIT, at the suggestion of which the attendees rose to their feet and listened to the anthems of the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Bulgaria, and with a minute's silence and bowing of their heads honored the memory of Her Majesty, the Queen of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – Elizabeth II. The floor was given to the Rector of ULSIT, Prof. Irena Peteva, who after a short speech opened the prestigious scientific forum.

Due to the nature and importance of the National Scientific Program – Security and Defense, congratulatory letters were addressed to the event by Mr. Rumen Radev – President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Dr. Ilin Dimitrov – Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Dimitar Stoyanov – Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria, Prof. Sasho Penov – Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Plamen Tonchev – Chairman of the Bulgarian State Agency for National Security and Prof. Vlado Buckkovski – Former Prime Minister of Macedonia (2002 – 2004).

The forum was welcomed by the Mayor of the Municipality of Elhovo, Mr. Petar Kirov and by Mrs. Anelia Georgieva – Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Svilengrad. In his welcome address, Mr. Borislav Dimitrov – the Consulate General of the Republic of Bulgaria in the city of Edirne, emphasized the importance of the academic community in defining the problems of national security risks and finding solutions for their countermeasures.

In his address to the scientific forum, the Mayor of the Municipality of Edirne, Mr. Recep Gurkan, pointed out that no boundaries can be set in good neighborliness, cultural relations and exchange, but it is necessary to ensure the continuous control of information related to the guarantee of national security. In his closing words, Mr. Gurkan thanked the management of the University, in the person of the Rector, Prof. Peteva and the Honorary Citizen of the city of Edirne, his dear friend Prof. Stoyan Denchev, for their contribution to the development of bilateral relations.

After the solemn opening ceremony, the Round Table began with a Plenary Session, after which it continued in three scientific sections divided into the topics: “Security in the conditions of global political and economic crisis – good practices and perspectives”, “Protection of national identity in the conditions of a global political and economic crisis” and “The role of the media in covering current issues of national, regional and global security”.

In the plenary report “The global political crisis and its impact on the Balkans”, the authors Prof. Stoyan Denchev and Prof. Irena Peteva emphasized the most important problems related to geopolitical stability as factors for the protection of security.

Representatives of the academic community, PhD students and students on bachelor and master degree of ULSIT, and representatives from the Republic of Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia, the Republic of Austria and the Republic of Germany, participated in the forum with scientific reports.

The round table ended with a discussion session and a general photo of all participants and official guests in front of the bas-relief of the founder of the Republic of Turkey and a great friend of Bulgaria, Mr. Kemal Atatürk.