This two-part feature welcomes UVT alumnus Dr. Nikola Zhivkov. A lawyer, court mediator, and PhD in Political Science, Dr. Zhivkov operates at the intersection of public administration, youth policy, and civic engagement. In addition to his role in civil service, he is a dedicated NGO volunteer, youth worker, and trainer, as well as a member of the Youth Advisory Council to the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Bulgaria.
Titled "Youth Sector in Bulgaria: The Voice of Solidarity," the episodes explore the vital role young communicators play in today's complex and highly debated discourse on migration. Dr. Zhivkov highlights the urgent need for hands-on civic education in schools and robust non-formal learning programs designed to foster critical thinking and prepare youth for meaningful intercultural dialogue.
Key themes discussed in these episodes — produced by the VTU team consisting of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Desislava Andreeva, Chief Asst. Prof. Dr. Georgi Ignatov, and Prof. Dr. Angelina Markovska — also include:
- Common misconceptions and damaging stereotypes confronting young communicators in the migration debate.
- How mainstream media and social networks shape youth perspectives on migration.
- The critical value of media literacy and analytical thinking in an era of fake news and misinformation.
- Essential skills and competencies needed to communicate effectively about migration.
- Creative strategies to make complex legal and political frameworks accessible and engaging for young audiences.
- Harnessing mediation and non-formal education to actively engage youth in migration dialogues.
- Advancing inclusive policymaking and amplifying youth voices in migration governance and public debates.
- Inspiring models and best practices in youth work and civic education across Bulgaria and Europe.
The "Crafting Voices: Podcasts on Migration and Communication" series is developed under the EU-funded Erasmus+ project Voice of Migration: Future Communicators (Project No. 2024-2-TR01-KA220-YOU-000279895). The initiative is coordinated by the Directorate of Communications of the Republic of Türkiye and delivered in partnership with leading academic and non-governmental institutions from Austria, Greece, Spain, and Italy.
Tune in to the episodes here:
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAadv1DWJQs&t=58s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jojL0-MtwQ&t=53s
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2FC1w1vVTXIULLeQGicfZI?si=02d6fc34e3d640f1
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HHXja8Y7iE3zAXSwazUt4?si=3f0df94ef4f94de9
SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/vomproject/episode-4-youth-sector-in
https://soundcloud.com/vomproject/episode-4-youth-sector-in-1
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/voice-of-migration-future-communicators/
Project Website:
https://youthmigrationvoices.eu/podcasts/#
