S
Model European Union Sofia 2014
Information Booklet
24th 28th November 2014, Sofia, Bulgaria
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Model European Union Sofia 2014
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Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2
General Information ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Group division list ..................................................................................................................................... 3
Hostel ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
Schedule ........................................................................................................................................................ 7
Background Information ............................................................................................................................. 14
City of Sofia ............................................................................................................................................. 14
House of Europe ..................................................................................................................................... 14
Sofia University ....................................................................................................................................... 15
National Youth House ............................................................................................................................. 16
Sofia Cuisine and Nightlife .......................................................................................................................... 17
Restaurants ............................................................................................................................................. 17
Monday Restaurant O!Shipka ....................................................................................................... 17
Tuesday and Friday Divaka Restaurant ......................................................................................... 18
Wednesday Hadzhidraganovite Izbi ............................................................................................... 19
Thursday Euro night National Youth House ..................................................................................... 20
Clubs ........................................................................................................................................................ 20
Thursday Gramophone .................................................................................................................... 20
............................................................................................................................................................ 20
Plovdiv ......................................................................................................................................................... 21
Practical Information .................................................................................................................................. 21
Public Transport ...................................................................................................................................... 21
Money exchange ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Basic Bulgarian ........................................................................................................................................ 21
Weather forecast .................................................................................................................................... 22
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Introduction Dear participants we are glad to say welcome to Sofia, Bulgaria. This year for the first time the simulation Model European Union will be organized here in Bulgaria and congratulations! YOU are the main actors. In this booklet youll find all the necessary information about your sojourn in Sofia. First, there will be some general information (hostel, group etc.). This will be followed by information about the program and places we will visit. Last but not least, there will be some information about Sofia itself. We hope that this booklet will help you to be well prepared for the trip to Sofia! Hopefully see you all there! ! Organisation committee ([email protected]) Desislava Antonova +359 897 897801 Teodor Kalpakchiev +359 988 70 55 40 Stephanie Bosseva +359 886 739 556. Petya Petrova +359 894 42 13 31 Yoana Marinova +359 887 574 589 Emanuela Vassileva Elizabeth Bojilova +359 889 39 69 62 Alexandar Ivanov +359 878 429 294 Dimitrinka Kyuchukova +359 878 914 113 Svilena Shishkova Georgi Valev
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General Information The mandatory programme starts on 24th of November (Monday) at 09:00 o`clock. However, on Sunday
(23th of November) there will also some activities. We will have 77 participants, as well as 9 members of
the Organizing committee. During you sojourn here you will participate in the simulation, but also you
will visit some of the public institutions of Republic of Bulgaria and the second biggest city Plovdiv.
Please take into account that during the formal part (simulation) appropriate formal clothing is required.
In order to guarantee the quality of simulation, preparation in advance is obligatory to everyone!
Group division list During the simulation each of you will have different role. Some of you will be MEPs, while others will be
representatives of the Council of the EU. Last but not least, some of you take the role of journalist.
Below you can find information about the role division.
Figure 1Ministers (28)
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Figure 2 MEPs (1)
Figure 3 MEPs (2)
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Figure 4 Chairs
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Hostel Between 24th and 28th of November you home will be Slavyanska Beseda Hotel, situated in Sofia
Downtown. It is close to Central Government offices, Bank headquarters, Art Galleries, Theaters and
Cinemas. The hotel offers 90 rooms and 6 suits. The room facilities include private bath, mini- bar,
telephone, cable TV. To ensure guests' comfort the hotel provides a nice restaurant, room service,
hairdressers, a gym room, a souvenir shop, currency exchange, safe deposit boxes and information
services.
Hotel Facilities: lift, security, safe deposit boxes, telephone, information and money exchange, room
service, barber shop, laundry and dry cleaning, restaurant, bar, private party catering, shop, business-
meeting room, guarded parking
Room Facilities: cable TV, telephone, minibar with fridge, private bathroom/ toilet, bathtub, balcony.
The luxurious rooms also provide cable Internet connection
Web: http://slavyanska.com/bg/
Address: 3, Slavyanska Str. , Sofia
Phone: (+359 2) 935 98 35
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Schedule
Day/Time 23.11 Sunday 24.11. 25.11. 26.11. 27.11. 28.11.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
7:15 8:15 Breakfast at the
Hotel
Breakfast at the
Hotel
Breakfast at the
Hotel
Breakfast at the
Hotel
Breakfast at the
Hotel
8:15 8:30 Meeting in front of
the Hotel
Meeting in front of
the Hotel
Meeting in front of
the Hotel
Meeting in front of
the Hotel
Meeting in front of
the Hotel
8:30 8:45 Leave to the House
of Europe
Leave to the House
of Europe
Leave to the House
of Europe
Leave to the House
of Europe
Leave to the House
of Europe
8:45 9:00 Security Check,
Participants take
their seats
Security Check,
Participants take
their seats
Security Check,
Participants take
their seats
Security Check,
Participants take
their seats
Security Check,
Participants take
their seats
9:00 9:15 Trainings for
Journalists
Welcome and
Opening Speeches
Roll Call,
Commissioners
Present both at EP
and Council
Roll Call,
Commissioners
Present both at EP
and Council
Roll Call, Defense of
Amendments from
two MEPs at the
Council, resp. two
Ministers at the
Parliament
Flashback of the
Previous day.
Representatives of
each focus group
present its work
and outputs.
9:15 9:30 Presentation of
the MEU
Questions to the
Commissioners
Questions to the
Commissioners
Defense of
Amendments from
two MEPs at the
Council, resp. two
Ministers at the
Parliament
Representatives of
each focus group
present its work
and outputs.
9:30 9:45 First Panel on TTIP Parliament:
Faction Meetings
and Election of
Faction Leader and
Secretary
Parliament: Faction
Meetings and
Election of Faction
Leader and
Secretary
Faction Meeting at
the Parliament /
Informal Discussion
at the Council
Representatives of
each focus group
present its work
and outputs. The
rest of the
participants begin
writing down their
work from the
previous day.
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Council: Opening
Statements
(~2mins)
Council: Opening
Statements
(~2mins)
9:45-10:00 First Panel on TTIP Parliament:
Opening
Statements
Parliament:
Opening
Statements
Final Voting Both Delegates
within a Dimension
Negotiate a Policy
Strategy.
Council: Opening
Statements
Council: Opening
Statements
10:00
10:15
Questions from
the Audience
General Debate
Pt.1
General Debate Pt.1 Election of Press
Conference
Representatives
(2+2)
Both Focus Groups
within a Dimension
Create a
Visualization of the
Strategy and the
Proposed Tools,
Recommendations
and Benchmarks
10:15
10:30
Second Panel on
ENP
General Debate
Pt.1
General Debate Pt.1 Final Press
Conference
Both Focus Groups
within a Dimension
Create a
Visualization of the
Strategy and the
Proposed Tools,
Recommendations
and Benchmarks
10:30
10:45
Second Panel on
ENP
General Debate
Pt.1
General Debate Pt.1 Final Press
Conference
Coffee Break
10:45
11:00
Questions from
the Audience
General Debate
Pt.1
General Debate Pt.1 Coffee Break The Delegates from
Each Dimension
Present Their
Results
11:00
11:15
Training for
Policy
Facilitators
Coffee Break Networking Break
/ Newspaper
Networking Break /
Newspaper
Presentation: What
is a Policy Cycle and
Policy Consulting
The Delegates from
Each Dimension
Present Their
Results
11:15
11:30
Presentation of
the Policy Think-
Tank
General Debate
pt.2
General Debate pt.2 Presentation:
Methods and Goals
of the Policy Think-
Tank.Expected
Questions and
Suggestions Session
from the Audience
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outputs.
11:30 -
11:45
Questions from
the Audience
General Debate
pt.2
General Debate pt.2 Lunch / Re-
arranging the
Venue
Final Voting in
Plenum with Simple
Majority to Approve
the Proposed Steps
11:45 -
12:00
Chairs Present
Rules of Procedure
General Debate
pt.2
General Debate pt.2 Lunch / Re-
arranging the
Venue
Closing Ceremony
Statements, Video
and Photo
Journalists Present
Their Work
12:00 -
12:15
Chairs Explain
Milestones of the
Debating Schedule
General Debate
pt.2
General Debate pt.2 Opening statements
by Guests.
Distribution of
Certificates
Introduction to the
Think Tank.
Participants decide
on a person who is
going to visualize
the outputs.
12:15 -
12:30
Mock Debate with
Chairs
General Debate
pt.2
General Debate pt.2 Guidelines by
guests speakers.
Participants give a
definition of the
current state of
affairs. Synthesis of
a Problem
Statement.
Distribution of
Certificates
12:30 -
12:45
Questions and
answers regarding
the Rules of
Procedure
General Debate
pt.2
General Debate pt.2 Defining the
reasons behind the
problematic.
Defining
the corelation to
the rest of the
Distribution of
Prizes
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dimensions. Naming
and framing of the
actors involved.
Visualization.
12:45 -
13:00
Closing of the First
Part
Election of
Trialogue
Representatives
Election of
Trialogue
Representatives
Brainstorm session
on alterative
scenarios for
potential future
developments of
the state of affairs.
Visualization.
Group Photos
13:00 -
13:15
Lunch Political
Campaigning in
Greece
Lunch with
Catering / Faction
Meetings for MEPs
Lunch with Catering
/ Faction Meetings
for MEPs
Participants assess
the scenarios and
create a vision for
an optimal
development.
Definition of an if-
hypothesis.
Visualization.
Distribution of
Lunchpacks by the
Catering
13:15 -
13:30
Lunch / Catering Lunch with
Catering / Faction
Meetings for MEPs
Lunch with Catering
/ Faction Meetings
for MEPs
Coffee Break /
Market of Ideas
Meeting in Front Of
House of Europe
13:30 -
13:45
Lunch / Catering Sending of
Amendments
online, Trialogue
Meeting
Sending of
Amendments
online, Trialogue
Meeting
Participants discuss
and define a set of
problems that stand
between the
current state of
affairs and the
desired outcome.
Visualization.
Buses Leave to
Plovdiv
13:45 -
14:00
Visit to Parliament Sending of
Amendments
online, Trialogue
Meeting
Sending of
Amendments
online, Trialogue
Meeting
What are the
factors behind each
problem? What is
the interest of
different actors
within it?
14:00 -
14:15
Afternoon Get-
Together and
Final Touches
Visit to Parliament Debate on
Amendments
Debate on
Amendments
Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurements
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14:45 -
14:30
Visit to Parliament Debate on
Amendments
Debate on
Amendments
Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurable
benchmarks for
their assessment
14:30 -
14:45
Visit to Parliament Debate on
Amendments
Debate on
Amendments
Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurable
benchmarks for
their assessment
14:45 -
15:00
Visit to Parliament Debate on
Amendments
Debate on
Amendments
Participants Draw a
Timeline of the
Proposed Actions
15:00 -
15:15
Going back to Sofia
University
Debate on
Amendments
Debate on
Amendments
Coffe Break and
Switching of Rooms
15:15 -
15:30
Negotiations
Training
Debate on
Amendments
Debate on
Amendments
Brainstorm session
on alterative
scenarios for
potential future
developments of
the state of affairs.
Visualization.
Arrival in Plovdiv
15:30 -
15:45
Negotiations
Training
Networking break
to discuss
amendments
Networking break
to discuss
amendments
Participants assess
the scenarios and
create a vision for
an optimal
development.
Definition of a if-
hypothesis.
Guided Tour
15:45 - 16:
00
Negotiations
Training
Networking break
to discuss
amendments
Networking break
to discuss
amendments
Coffee Break /
Market of Ideas
Guided Tour
16:00 -
16:15
Public Speaking
Training
Voting on
Amendments
Voting on
Amendments
Participants discuss
and define a set of
problems that stand
between the
current state of
affairs and the
Guided Tour
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desired outcome.
Visualization.
16:15 -
16:30
Public Speaking
Training
Voting on
Amendments
Voting on
Amendments
What are the
factors behind each
problem? What is
the interest of
different actors
within it?
Guided Tour
16:30 -
16:45
Public Speaking
Training
Voting on
Amendments
Voting on
Amendments
Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurements
Guided Tour
16:45 -
17:00
Public Speaking
Training
Election of
Representatives
for Press
Conference +
Tomorrows
Defense (2+2
MEPS, 2+2
Ministers)
Election of
Representatives for
Press Conference +
Tomorrows
Defense (2+2 MEPS,
2+2 Ministers)
Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurable
benchmarks for
their assessment
Guided Tour
17:00 -
17:15
Public Speaking
Training
Press Conference
in Plenum (2 MEPs
+ 2 Ministers)
Press Conference in
Plenum (2 MEPs + 2
Ministers)
Participants come
up with policy
recommendations
and measurable
benchmarks for
their assessment
Guided Tour
17:15 -
17:30
Public Speaking
Training
Press Conference
in Plenum (2 MEPs
+ 2 Ministers)
Press Conference in
Plenum (2 MEPs + 2
Ministers)
Participants Draw a
Timeline of the
Proposed Actions
Guided Tour
17:30
18:30
Sofia Tour Free Time at
Slavyanska Beseda
Free Time at
Slavyanska Beseda
Participants Leave
towards the
National Youth
House; Setting up of
the Venue at the
NYH
Guided Tour
18:30
19:15
Sofia Tour Opening of the
EuroNight;
Presentation of
local food and
Travel Back to Sofia
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customs
19:15
19:30
Introduction of the
Dimensions of TTIP
and ENP during the
Think-Tank
Presentation of
local food,
beverages and
customs
19:30
19:45
Participants
Register for a
specific Dimension
Cocktail
19:45 -
20:00
Meeting for
Dinner in front
of Slavyanska
Beseda
Meeting in front of
the Hotel
Meeting in front of
the Hotel
Meeting in front of
the Hotel
Country
Presentations
20:00
20:15
Leave towards
OShipka
Leave towards
Divaka
Leave towards
Bulgarian Night
Venue
Country
Presentations
Arrival at Sofia
20:15
22:30
Dinner + Karaoke Dinner Dinner Cocktail and Chat Farewell Dinner in
Divaka
After 22:30 Dinner + Karaoke Free Time Dinner Leaving off to Club
Gramophone
Farewell Drinks in
Students Town
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Background Information
City of Sofia Sofia is Bulgarias capital and its largest city. Founded thousands of years ago, today the city continues to
develop as the countrys cultural and economic center. At present, the city has a population of 1,250,000.
The city is located at a strategic crossroads. The route from Western Europe to Istanbul passes through Sofia
via Beograd and Skopje, then through Plovdiv to Turkey. Sofia also connects The Near East and The Middle
East, lying between the banks of The Danube and the shores of The White Sea on the one hand, and between
The Black Sea and The Adriatic on the other.
Sofia preserves many valuable monuments to its long and storied past. Visitors exploring the citys streets can
see remnants of The Eastern Gate from the days when Sofia was Serdika and Sredets, dating from the 2nd-
4th centuries CE. These remains are exhibited in the underpass connecting the Presidential Palace and The
Ministerial Council, surrounded by shops selling traditional Bulgarian souvenirs and rosewater.
More information about the sights of the town and famous places you will find on the tourist materials you will
be provided, as well as on: http://bulgariatravel.org/en/object/234/sofia
House of Europe The House of Europe is the place that gives shelter to the Representation of the European Commission
in Bulgaria and to the Information Office of the European Parliament in Bulgaria. It was built in 2013 in a
bright new and extravagant manner. It is situated in the city center on 124 G. Rakovski Street, Sofia.
Phone: +359 2 933 5237
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Sofia University
The Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is the first higher educational institution in Bulgaria. Its
history is an embodiment and a continuation of centuries of cultural and educational tradition in this
country. Public teaching activities in Bulgaria date back to the second half of the 9th century.
During the Bulgarian Renaissance, a new idea for opening a School of Higher Education was
conceived. The prestige of the School of Higher Education grew rapidly with the cultural and
educational mission it acquired after the Liberation in 1878. Year by year the Sofia University has
developed into an important academic and scientific centre on the Balkans, a well developed academic
institution with European dimensions. Today Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is the largest and
most prestigious educational and scientific centre in the country. Its main building is situated at 15
Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. The Faculties of Mathematics and Informatics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology,
Journalism and Mass Communication, Theology, Economics and Business Administration, and
Preschool and Primary School Education are spread over several campuses around Sofia.
We will visit Sofia University on Monday for welcome and opening speeches and introduction activities.
The address where you will find the Sofia University is: 1504 Sofia, 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.
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National Youth House
Address: 10 Narodno Sabranie Square
Phone: 02 987 22 86
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Sofia Cuisine and Nightlife
Restaurants
Monday Restaurant O!Shipka
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Tuesday and Friday Divaka Restaurant
Address: 16 Hristo Belchev Str.
Phone: +359 88 821 9087
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Wednesday Hadzhidraganovite Izbi
Address 18 Hristo Belchev Str.
Phone: +359 2 981 8148
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Thursday Euro night National Youth House
Clubs
Thursday Gramophone
Address: 6 Budapesta Str.
Phone: +359 2 981 1410
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Plovdiv Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria and an administrative center of Plovdiv County. It is situated
in the Upper Thracian Plain (Gornotrakiyska Nizina), on the both banks of the Maritsa river. The
population of the city is about 350,000 people. In 2014 it was awarded with European Culture Capital
2019.
Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe the beginning of its history dates back to 4,000 years BC. In
the beginning the ancient settlement was situated on the natural elevation between Nebet, Taksim and
Dzhambaz hills (the Three Hills). In ancient times Thracians inhabited the Three Hills and built a fortified
settlement the largest city in Thrace. In the 4th century BC Plovdiv was conquered by Phillip of
Macedonia. He gave the city one of its many names Phillipopolis, and had it surrounded by thick
fortified walls. Later the Thracians regained their power over the city, but after a series of battles in the
1st century AD it became a part the Roman Empire.
During the period of the Roman Empire, Plovdiv (at those times Trimontium) was an important
regional center. The city flourished with a large-scale construction of buildings, facilities and roads.
Numerous well-preserved artifacts had remained from those times, such as cobble stoned streets,
fortress walls, buildings, water supply and sewerage systems.
he city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country and a cultural and economic center
of southern Bulgaria. There are many accommodation options here from luxurious hotels to hostels.
The main street of the city offers excellent opportunities for entertainment and shopping; the
restaurants options are numerous.
More information you will find on: http://bulgariatravel.org/en/object/306/plovdiv_grad
Practical Information
Public Transport For your stay in Sofia you will be provided with public transport tickets for the entire period. Pay
attention that when you enter into the bus/tram/electric bus you have to perforate your ticket. Recent
information about the public transport schedule you can find on:
http://www.sofiatraffic.bg/en/transport/virtual-tables
Money exchange The Bulgarian national currency is Bulgarian Lev (BGN). 1 EUR is approximately equal to 1.96 BGN. Our
advice is to exchange your money only in banks and not at the exchange burros.
Basic Bulgarian Good Morning Dobro utro Good Afternoon- Dobur den
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Good Evening- Dobur vecher
Hello- Zdravei
Excuse me- izvinyavai
I`m sorry- izvinyavai
Please- molya
Thank you- Blagodarya/Merci
I don`t understand- Ne razbiram
Welcome- Dobre doshul
Street Ulitza
House of Europe- Dom na Evropa
Dinner- vecherya
How are you- Kak si
Weather forecast At the end of November winter has just arrived in Bulgaria. So, please, take your coats and jackets, pulls
and boots and be prepared for temperatures around and under 5C degrees.