Bulgarian School of Politics “Dimitry Panitza” was established in 2001. Our mission is to develop community of civic and political leaders with active role in the national, European and global political and public life, devoted to modern democratic values, based on pluralism, tolerance and informed debate. The School was founded by Dimitry Panitza and the Free and Democratic Bulgaria Foundation, the Political Academy for Central and Southeastern Europe, the New Bulgarian University and the Centre for Liberal Strategies. The School is an independent non-governmental and non-for-profit organization. It is accredited as a Center for Continuing Education at the New Bulgarian University and is also a founding member of the Council of Europe’s Network of Schools of Political Studies. After a decision taken by the Board of Directors on 17th May 2011, the School was named after its founder. Now its full name is Bulgarian School of Politics “Dimitry Panitza”.
Since 2001 more than 600 Bulgarian and 200 foreign members of parliament, political party leaders, senior civil servants, and leaders of non-governmental organisations have been trained in the two main programs of the School – the National Program and Regional Program for South-East Europe. The National Program targets politicians from the parliamentary represented parties in Bulgaria, civic leaders, elected officials from local, regional and state administrations, and journalists. The Regional Program is focused on young political and civic leaders from the Balkan region: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia. In 2010 the School organized its first Regional Program for North Africa.
The programs provide knowledge and skills in the areas of political management and public policies, such as political process, developing and implementing policies at European, national and regional level, political communication, institutional development and media relations. Lecturers are prominent international and Bulgarian politicians, political analysts, academicians, experts, diplomats and well-known journalists from Bulgaria, Europe and the United States. Training methods are interactive, based on small groups work, case studies, simulations, debates and group and individual projects.
The Bulgarian School of Politics has developed a strong national alumni network. In cooperation with the Alumni Association, the School organizes public discussions, conferences and debates on important political, social and economic issues.