More than 500 people visited the Foreign Ministry on its Open Day
05 November 2012 News
More than 500 people visited the Foreign Ministry on its first-ever Open Day. The visitors got insight into what the Foreign Ministry, its various departments and employees do for the citizens of Bulgaria.
Strolling the “Black Marble”, visitors to the Open Day met and spoke with the people who make the decisions in diplomacy. They entered the office – and sat in the chair – of the Foreign Minister and took part in a briefing by the Foreign Ministry spokesperson. All the questions, from the current debates in the EU, to the conflict in Syria and Bulgaria’s foreign policy priorities in the Balkans – were responded to by Minister Nickolay Mladenov.
The austerity of the institution did not deter its many young guests from bombarding staff of the Human Resources Directorate with questions about the various internship opportunities and careers at the Foreign Ministry. Some of the youngsters already showed the qualities of true diplomats when they took part in a simulated session of the United Nations Security Council on “possible solutions to the conflict in Syria”, organised by the Diplomatic Institute.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the final phase of the National Debating Association debate on “This government believes in EU enlargement”. Foreign Minister Mladenov handed the awards to the winner, Gergana Todorova and Denitsa Marchevski.
Guests of the Foreign Ministry learnt interesting facts about the history of the institution. An experienced guide from the National Cultural Institute led visitors on a walking tour of the Ministry’s rich collection of works of art by famous Bulgarian masters. They had the opportunity to leaf through some of the most valuable publications in the rich collection of the Diplomatic Institute library.
With drawings of the flag of their beloved country, new knowledge of geography and wide smiles, the young guests concluded their visit to the Foreign Ministry on its Open Day.
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