Member of the European Parliament for Bulgaria
2007 - 2009
(first direct EP elections in Bulgaria);
LEED to OECD partner (Nanotech)
Nous venons de signer cette lettre ouverte pour demander aux chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement de faire de l’école gratuite pour tous les enfants un droit humain universel.
“ANIMAL FARM” Revisit Ignored
A story of modern times
The story as follows is not about preaching morality in politics. It is about times when the interpretation and distortion of facts become essential political strategies.
“The Major, a boar on the Farm, gathers the animals in a meeting. In his speech he refers to the humans as parasites and proclaims new rules.
When he dies a few days later, two young pigs take control of the group and try to turn his dreams into a reality.
After a while, they start a struggle for leadership. When one announces his ideas, the other opposes them. The confrontation results in one of the pigs being forced to leave the farm.
Using a new pig as a mouthpiece of the group, the fake leader announces the ideas of the expelled pig as if they are his own.
In the course of time the leader abuses his powers; he wants more and more privileges; the mouthpiece justifies every statement the leader makes; an anthem glorifies him, seemingly starting to have the lifestyle of a man. The animals, though starving and exhausted, believe they live better. The mouthpiece invents numbers to demonstrate their improved standard of living.
In the meanwhile, an attack on the farm brings great losses to the animals. They win the battle, but exchange one of the wounded for money to buy spirits.
Time passes, and the pigs get sophisticated, wearing clothes and carrying whips. The leader announces an alliance with the humans.
The animals on the Farm realize that the faces of the pigs start to resemble the faces of humans and no one can tell the difference between them.”
Any similarities with reality is a sheer coincidence.
Mariela Baeva
Animal farm revisited ignored | New Europe
Reflections
*People have the right to defend their civilisational identity. Throughout history the European Union has pursued its own path to make it happen. So have other nations and countries.
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*Differences have persisted. Yet, they are not to set nations and countries apart.
*Diversity and the commitment to inclusion are vital to human civilisation. Values, per se, capture the complex nature of any society. Complementarity in their exchange and/or integration may prove to be an achievement of humanity.
*The EU’s understanding of these peculiarities may help transport into the future the idea of free expression of national identity, components of which are culture, religion, moral and ethical standards… They open the way to a holistic view of human development in any part of the world. This approach is worthy of respect, right?
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Tax in the time of COVID-19*
The number of COVID-19 cases is quickly rising around the world, with major adverse effects on health and mortality. To fight the outbreak and the spread of the virus, countries are imposing unprecedented measures, such as restrictions on the free movement of people and goods, and are shutting down large parts of the economy. The result is that economic activity has fallen sharply in many countries and increased global uncertainty has further eroded confidence.
*OECD, The Forum Network
Tackling the coronavirus*
Contributing to a global effort
What are the impacts and consequences of the coronavirus pandemic on our lives and our societies – and what are some of the solutions we can find to boost our healthcare systems, secure our businesses, maintain our jobs and education, and stabilise financial markets and economies?
Find solutions here: http://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/en/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_content=CTA%3A%20Key%20Impacts&utm_campaign=Tackling%20the%20coronavirus%20%28COVID-19%29&utm_term=demo#id-2
*OECD
Just launched: OECD Economic Outlook 2019
World GDP growth fell to 2.9% this year
The Economic Outlook includes a general assessment and notes summarising developments and providing projections for each individual country. This issue also includes focus notes on topical policy questions: addressing trade-distorting government support, escaping the low-inflation trap and strengthening the role of fiscal policy.
You remember Sisyphus from Greek mythology, right?
You remember Sisyphus from Greek mythology, right? The king rolling a stone toward the crest of a hill….
He could never heave the stone over the top, “the weight would turn it back…”
The story tells he was punished for cheating.
In more recent times, this folklore figure stirred the creative imagination of a French author, Albert Camus. His Myth of Sisyphus: Essay on the Absurd tells the story of the absurd hero accomplishing nothing. The tragedy begins the moment he knows his labour is hopeless.
This is his moment of consciousness. Back down the hill to start pushing up the stone for “a hundred times over.”
The essay teaches that futile suffering is a preference. It is the absurd hero’s silent joy. It is the price for his victory. He is the master of the day. If the stone is still rolling, the absurd hero is still busy and active.
Sisyphus of Camus teaches too much self-confidence may raise rocks.
In the tragedy of Syria, who is in the struggle toward the heights? You can finish the story: one, two, three, four, more absurd heroes…
Mariela Baeva
Mohamed Sidibay for Theirworld and Global Partnership for Education’s conference in Senegal,
Dear Mariela,
A few days ago, I asked you: what is the one question you want me to ask world leaders?
It was a few hours before a key moment for the campaign to fund education – the Global Partnership for Education’s replenishment conference in Dakar, Senegal, where I was going to deliver the keynote speech.
And you were clear that the biggest question of the moment was: what will you do to turn the decline in education financing around and ensure that every child can realise their right to education?
To be honest, when I sent you that email, I was feeling a bit sceptical. For years aid to education has been stagnating or going down. I’ve spoken at big events before.
What was going to change this time? And why now? Continue reading
How Immigrants Contribute to Developing Countries’ Economies*
Link to How Immigrants Contribute to Developing Countries’ Economies
*OECD Development Centre
