News

19 June 2026

Ombudsman Velislava Delcheva met with young people from “St. Sofia – Next Generation” Zonta Club.

At the beginning of the meeting, the young people presented their club’s activities and briefed the Ombudsman on the initiatives they were working on in the areas of education, civic engagement, and causes of public importance. They spoke about their projects: “The First Ever,” aimed at promoting the achievements of Bulgarian women who have made contributions in various fields, “Zonta Academy for Life,” which brings students together with established professionals from various fields, as well as other initiatives that encourage leadership and the active participation of young people in public life. The meeting also featured a presentation on the activities of “St. Sofia” Zonta Club, part of the international organisation Zonta International, which works to advance women’s rights.

During the discussion, the students asked questions about the work of the Ombudsman Institution, its powers, and its role in protecting citizens’ rights, as well as about children’s rights and responsibilities and their ability to seek assistance from the Ombudsman on their own when their rights are violated.

Velislava Delcheva stressed the importance of active citizenship from an early age and encouraged young people to know and stand up for their rights. She highlighted the need for society to take a zero-tolerance stance toward aggression and violence in all their forms—at school, at home, and in public spaces—noting that every positive change begins with personal example and the responsibility of each of us.

The representatives of “St. Sophia – Next Generation” Zonta Club presented the Ombudsman with a declaration containing proposals for improving the school environment and student life, drafted following discussions during the Zonta Conference in Burgas in 2025. The document contains ideas for improving the legal framework and modernising the organisation of the educational process.

During the meeting, the RADA project was also presented; it aims to prevent domestic violence and raise public awareness of the issue, a cause that is also part of Ombudsman Veleslava Delcheva’s work. As a token of respect, the guests presented the Ombudsman with Zonta’s symbolic orange scarf, the RADA doll, and informational materials about the project.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to future cooperation in support of young people’s active participation in public life and the protection of their rights. The Ombudsman also pledged to serve as patron of the annual charity ball of “St. Sofia” Zonta Club, which will take place in October of this year.