Talented High School Students Awarded by Foundation BNP Paribas Bulgaria for Promoting Understanding and Respect towards All Members of Society

In line with BNP Paribas' global commitment to fighting discrimination and promoting diversity, Foundation BNP Paribas Bulgaria organized an essay contest for high-school students called "The Others beside Me". Foundation BNP Paribas Bulgaria places particular priority on fighting all forms of discrimination and promoting equal opportunities for people, regardless of their origin, age, disability or gender. The aim of the initiative was to raise awareness of prejudice and discrimination and promote understanding and respect toward all members of society.

Three best essays were selected by the renown jury members Ms. Bilyana Kourtasheva (the Department of New Bulgarian Studies, New Bulgarian University), Ms. Nadezhda Radulova (poet, literary translator and publisher) and Mr. Marin Bodakov (Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”; poet and cultural journalist) by mutual consent.

The young people who tackled best the topic and received a financial award were Hristina Dimitrova and Nadya Necheva from the American College of Sofia, and Gergana Kostadinova from “Sts. Cyril and Methodius” School, Kozloduj. In addition, the jury members agreed upon a shortlist of seven essays, who received an honorable mention, a certificate and a book.

The awards were given during a special ceremony on June 20th, by Mr. Ullrich-Guenther Schubert – Chairman of Foundation BNP Paribas Bulgaria.  

About Foundation BNP Paribas Bulgaria

In order to formally consolidate and reinforce its longstanding engagement to development of corporate philanthropy programs in the country, BNP Paribas Bulgaria has launched in the end of 2010 a local foundation. The Foundation BNP Paribas Bulgaria was created in close cooperation with the BNP Paribas Foundation – the corner stone of the Group's philanthropy initiatives for the past 25 years. The newly established entity will structure BNP Paribas' projects in Bulgaria and strengthen current programs. The aim of the newly created Foundation is to contribute to Bulgaria's social and cultural development through strong and long-term partnerships not only in the areas of social solidarity, education, culture and environment.