The Atlantic Club of Bulgaria has the pleasure to invite you to attend the conference “Ukrainian Refugees in Bulgaria: Countering Disinformation and Strengthening Social Cohesion”.
Date: May 11, 2026
Registration opens: 09:30
Location: Central Military Club, Sofia (Tarzhestvena Hall)
The conference aims to focus on the current situation of Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria, the challenges related to their integration, as well as the role of disinformation and public attitudes in the process of strengthening social cohesion. Within the discussions, good practices will be shared and effective solutions will be explored for improving policies and inter-institutional cooperation.
The event is jointly organized with the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation in Bulgaria and the Embassy of Ukraine in Sofia and will bring together representatives of state institutions, experts, civil society organizations, and the diplomatic community.The working languages of the event will be Bulgarian and English.
To attend the event you need to register by this LINK.
Program of the event:
09:30 – 10:00 Registration and Welcoming Coffee
10:00 – 10:30 Opening Session
- Jacques Paparo, Project Director at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation Bulgaria
- Dr. Velizar Shalamanov, Caretaker Minister of Defence of Bulgaria (2014) | Defence Capabilities Director at the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria
- Olesya Ilashchuk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Bulgaria
Moderator:
Irina Nedeva, Journalist & Documentary Filmmaker
Vice President, Association of European Journalists (International)
Board Member, Association of European Journalists – Bulgaria
Senior Editor, BNR (Bulgarian National Public Radio)
10:30 – 11:25 Panel 1: Legal and Institutional Context of Temporary Protection (Panel + Q&A)
- Seda Kuzucu, UNHCR Representative in Bulgaria
- Maria Rachin, Police Inspector at the Migration Directorate, Ministry of Interior
- Temenuzhka Petkova, Acting Director General at General Directorate “Social Assistance”, Agency for Social Assistance
- Olena Shopova, Advisor and expert on the integration of Ukrainian refugees
11:25 – 12:20 Panel 2: Social Integration, Public Opinion, Integration in Practice (Panel + Q&A)
- Anelia Yotova, Chief Expert, Directorate for Inclusive Education at the Ministry of Education and Science
- Hristina Hristova, Bulgarian politician and former Member of the European Parliament
- Andrey Nikolov, Founder of the Ukrainian Center “Open Doors”, Sofia
- Kristina Vier, Ukrainian Hub, Varna
12:20 – 12:30 Closing Remarks
12:30 Networking Cocktail