On November 5, 2024, the conference “What do forcibly displaced persons contribute to their host country?” was held at the Vrana Royal Palace. Organized by Pan-Europa Bulgaria in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Liberal Institute for Political Analysis (LIPA). The event was hosted by H.M. Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, former Prime Minister and King of Bulgaria, who closed the event with a personal and emotional speech, highlighting his own history as an exile and refugee.
The conference brought together key representatives of state institutions, civil society, and business. Participants included Seda Kuzuj, representative of UNHCR in Bulgaria, Minister of Economy and Industry Dr. Petko Nikolov, deputy ministers of social policy and education, members of parliament, cultural figures, and activists.
In her welcoming speech, Gergana Passy, President of Pan-Europe Bulgaria, emphasized that helping people in need is not only a moral duty but also an opportunity for sustainable development. She reminded the audience that history knows migration not only as a tragedy but also as a driver of cultural and economic enrichment. Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha echoed this sentiment, saying, “I am a long-time refugee by force, so I have a special empathy for this issue. The best feeling is the feeling of solidarity.”
The first panel kicked off the discussion on the topic, with the following participants:
-Yulia Rabcheva, biologist
-Petya Kokudeva, writer
-Dina Dzhebali, director at Yettel
-Ilko Minev, writer and Bulgarian emigrant to Brazil
-Chris Zahariev, director
Minister Petko Nikolov presented data on the growing shortage of skilled labor in the country, noting that in 2024 this shortage exceeded 260,000 specialists, reaching 30% in some industries. In this context, he called for an update of the National Strategy for Migration and Integration and for the creation of policies that would turn refugees from a vulnerable group into a resource for growth and development. According to him, this does not mean taking jobs away from Bulgarian citizens, but is a response to the realities of the labor market.
The second panel, entitled “Protecting the Future (Education)”, discussed various strategies and policies for the successful social integration of refugees. The panellists were:
-Emilia Lazarova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science
-Denitsa Sacheva, Member of Parliament and former Minister of Social Affairs
-Marina Tosheva, Chair of the State Agency for Refugees
-Prof. Siika Chavdarova-Kostova, lecturer at Sofia University
The chair of the State Agency for Refugees announced that currently over 193,000 people have been granted temporary protection in Bulgaria, most of them women and children. Particular attention was paid to the more than 700 minors and unaccompanied children housed in the agency’s centers, which raises acute questions for the educational and social systems.
The third panel focused on the socio-economic integration of refugees, with the following participants:
-Lazar Lazarov – Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Policy
-Nadia Vassileva – Chair of the Bulgarian Confederation on Employment
-Hristina Hristova – politician and former member of parliament
Successful examples of integration programs were presented, ranging from digital training to internship schemes with the private sector. UNHCR presented projects aimed at promoting the economic independence of refugees, including through cooperation with local businesses. The conference highlighted precisely this point – that with the right policies, support, and opportunities, forcibly displaced persons can become active participants in the social and economic life of the country.
The event at Vrana Palace was not just a conference, but a strong public signal: Bulgaria can and must view refugees not as a burden, but as people with potential, experience, and a desire to contribute. In conclusion, the participants called for inter-institutional cooperation, sustainable solutions, and human solidarity—not only as a moral gesture, but also as a pragmatic choice in today’s world.