On June 5, 2002 BBLF held a Round table discussion entitled Changing Bulgaria Together. The Round table discussion was the closing event of this year's edition of the Career Advice Project "Business from Inside - How do we Build a Career?" organized in cooperation with AIMS Human Capital Bulgaria and the Students' Career Advisory Centre.
The discussion attracted the interest of people from various sectors of society - academic and state institutions, business, student organizations, media etc. The Rectors of the Sofia University, the Technical University and New Bulgarian University attended the discussion, as well as representatives of the University of International and World Economy, the American University in Bulgaria, the International University, the National Employment Service, the Ministry of Economy, many of the major Bulgarian and international companies (TNT Bulgaria, Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan, Radisson SAS Hotel, Umicore Med JSC, Bulgarian Post Bank, Overgas, etc.) and student organizations (Business Club and Students Council of Sofia University, AIESEC etc.).
The participants discussed the problems and difficulties faced by young graduates in the beginning of their professional and career development. Almost all agreed that one of the major problems is the discrepancy between the academic programmes and the real business needs. It was discussed in details that the educational system is detached from reality and needs to change in a pragmatic direction, as well as that business and academic institutions have to work in this direction together. Representatives of the companies expressed their willingness to "go into the universities" through guest lecturers, programmes, workshops and to further support young people by providing internships, summer practices, "open doors" events, etc.
Because of the great interest the Round Table provoked, it was suggested that similar discussions be held on a regular basis.
