Top 10 Prominent Young People of Bulgaria for 2017
For the third time Junior Chamber International Bulgaria (JCI Bulgaria) distinguished the 10 most prominent young people of Bulgaria. The project is part of the world-famous format The Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP), which every year aims to distinguish young people, leaders in various areas. The initiative has been held since 1938 and has distinguished celebrities such as John Kennedy, Elvis Presley, Jackie Chan, and others. The distinguished young Bulgarians for 2017 will also compete in the TOYP global competition. They are as follows:
Business, Economics and/or Entrepreneurship – Venelin Dobrev
He is among the founders of the online media Uspelite.bg – portal for positive news, initiatives, personalities. Venelin works at the Agency for Regional Economic Development in Stara Zagora on international projects for policies and instruments for the introduction of innovative business models and new technologies in small and medium-sized enterprises in rural areas in Europe and for the promotion of the use of green technologies as a tool for sustainable development and environment protection.
Political, Legal and/or State affairs – Peter Mladenov
Participates in the recommendation making Committee for fighting HIV/AIDS, in 2015 receives a mandate to participate in the UN Sustainable Development Negotiations on Youth Affairs, is a member of the UNESCO International Working Group on Health Education. Has been proclaimed by the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS as progressive young leader of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Academic Leadership and/or Achievement – Alexander Lukanov
Associate Professor at the University of Mining and Geology in Bulgaria and at the University of Saitama, Japan. His scientific and academic activities are focused on innovation in the field of nanotechnology. He has more than 50 author’s scientific publications and 3 textbooks for students, a number of international scientific scholarships and awards.
Cultural Achievement – Ilian Lyubomirov
Author of “Night is Action” – the best-selling poetry book by a Bulgarian author for the past 25 years, co-founder of the literary platform Letters of flesh and founder of the “Valeri Petrov” Art Academy.
Moral Leadership and/or Environment Protection – Hristo Blajev
He is chosen to be in the ranking because of his contribution to popularizing the reading of Bulgarian authors. Creator of the book blog Knigolandia and the Facebook group “What do you read …” – the most popular group of readers on Facebook, and is currently editor at Ciela Publishing House.
Humanitarian and/or Voluntary Leadership – Pavel Kunchev
He is a co-founder of the largest platform for volunteering in Bulgaria – the Time Heroes foundation and of the Fine Acts foundation, which promotes important social causes. In 2014 he was ranked in the charts of the Forbes magazine and Darik Radio for young innovators and leaders in Bulgaria. It also falls into the ranking for “Most influential Bulgarians in social networks”.
Contribution to Children, World Peace and/or Human Rights – Valeria Ilareva
For nearly 10 years she has been providing free legal assistance to refugees and asylum seekers as a lawyer at the Clinic for Refugees and Immigrants at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and later in the “Foundation for Access to Rights“, which she founded. In 2010 she was nominated for Human of the Year.
Science and/or Technology development – Vladimir Koilazov
Not surprisingly, the prize is for the Chaos Group co-founder for the development of V-Ray technology for 3D generating and processing of images in the cinema and entertainment industry. At the beginning of the year, Koilazov received Oscar for his contribution in cinematography.
Personal development and/or Achievement – Todor Tsachev
Musician and founder of a school orchestra under an American model, for which he himself buys 16 musical instruments. Winner of the “ProCultura” award and distinction from the 8th National Competition Day of Talent for specialists working in extracurricular and out-of-school activities.
Innovation in medicine – Yordanka Gluhcheva
Assoc.Prof. Gluhcheva and a team of specialists are refining experimental models for in vivo treatment (oral or subcutaneous) to elucidate the influence of various metal salts on the mechanisms of haematopoiesis and their bioaccumulation in different organs. The results of the studies have application in the acceptable concentrations of metal salts in foods, beverages, cosmetics, etc.
The awards will be presented at an official ceremony in September at the Business in the City business conference, which will take place for three days from September 8th to 10th, 2017 and which organizer is again JCI Bulgaria. JCI Bulgaria has been operating since 2007 with local sections in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Svishtov and is developing projects related to business, social and cultural activities, trainings, international projects. The International JCI was established in Missouri, United States in 1915, and currently has offices in over 100 countries and over 200,000 members.
More information about the ranking The Most Prominent Young People of Bulgaria can be found on the official website of the program and on the Facebook page you will find articles and interviews with the nominees.
