On 24-26 February, IPPF Member Association, BFPA in coordination with IPPF EN, organized a study tour to Brussels for a delegation of Bulgarian politicians/civil servants and civil society representatives in order to increase their understanding and knowledge on the European development agenda and the place of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in EU external policies. As a new Member State of the EU since 2007, Bulgaria has now an active part to play in the EU decision making on development aid but still lacks experience in that field.
BFPA was successful in putting together a strong delegation with representatives from a wide range of Bulgarian ministries, including the Ministries of Health, Foreign Affairs and Finance and well as members of civil society organisations, including the president of the newly formed platform of Bulgarian NGOs. The delegation met with staff from the Permanent Representation of Bulgaria to the EU, Members of the European Parliament as well as several representatives from the European Commission’s DGs on Development, External Affairs and Enlargement. Meetings were also conducted with key Brussels based NGOs, such as
Marie Stopes International
, the
European Parliamentary Forum
,
EuroNGOS
and the
CONCORD
Secretariat. The discussions allowed Bulgarian officials to better understand the European context for development, the specific role Bulgaria can play as well as gather ideas and best practices on how to further build on their national policy for development. The study trip also provided a valuable opportunity for the delegation members to strengthen their perception of constructive collaboration with civil society organisations. BFPA is now working on a number of follow up actions at country level with the participants to increase the place of SRHR in the newly constructed Bulgarian policy on development.
For more information contact Advocacy Project Coordinator, Soizick Martin at
smartin@ippfen.org