REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Diplomatic Institute

The Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute is the first institution for professional training of diplomats and civil servants in the field of foreign policy in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute hosted a study visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a laureate of the International Youth Literary and Film Festival “Whoever Saves One Life, Saves the Entire Universe”

18/09/2026

The Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute had the pleasure of hosting a study visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Yoana Kostadinova, an 11th-grade student at 134th Secondary School “Dimcho Debelyanov” – ORT School in Sofia and a laureate of the International Youth Literary and Film Festival “Whoever Saves One Life, Saves the Entire Universe”, organised by our partners from the Alef Centre for Jewish-Bulgarian Cooperation in Burgas in May.

Yoana Kostadinova met with Mr. Dimitar Filipov, Ambassador-at-Large at the Human Rights Department of the Human Rights Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He introduced her to the structure and specificities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of the state administration system. He also presented the issue of human rights protection in the contemporary world, the work of the Directorate, Bulgaria’s role in international organisations and in the global human rights system, as well as the responsibilities of the Human Rights Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the context of the National Plan for Combating Antisemitism (2023–2027).

The programme continued with a meeting with Ms. Tanya Mihaylova, Director of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute, and Ms. Silvana Tsokova, Head of the Public Affairs and Cooperation Department. They presented the functions and role of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute in the professional training of the Bulgarian diplomatic service and in conducting public diplomacy, and spoke about the qualities and skills required of a modern diplomat.

Ms. Mihaela Ilieva, Chief Expert at the Public Affairs and Cooperation Department, also presented the Library of the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute.

The programme concluded with the presentation of a certificate of participation by Ms. Ivanka Tasheva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria and National Coordinator for Combating Antisemitism.

Interns at the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute also took part in the study visit.

We would like to thank Yoana Kostadinova for her interest in Bulgarian diplomacy, as well as the Alef Centre for Jewish-Bulgarian Cooperation and its Chairperson, Alberta Alkalay, for their excellent cooperation!