Andreas Schleicher

Director for Education and Skills, OECD

Andreas Schleicher is Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He initiated and oversees the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and other international instruments that have created a global platform for policy-makers, researchers and educators across nations and cultures to innovate and transform educational policies and practices.

He has worked for over 20 years with ministers and education leaders around the world to improve quality and equity in education. Before joining the OECD, he was Director for Analysis at the International Association for Educational Achievement (IEA). He studied Physics in Germany and received a degree in Mathematics and Statistics in Australia. He is the recipient of numerous honours and awards, including the “Theodor Heuss” prize, awarded in the name of the first president of the Federal Republic of Germany for “exemplary democratic engagement”. He holds an honorary Professorship at the University of Heidelberg.

Ildiko Otova, PhD

political scientist, New Bulgarian University

Ildiko Otova, PhD in Political Science, laureate of the Charles Moser Fellowship for Excellence in Political Science and Civic Courage, is a lecturer and academic program coordinator of the Political Science Department at New Bulgarian University. Her teaching and research interests include migration and refugee issues, as well as populism and extremism. Her most recent books are Migration and Populism in Bulgaria (co-co-authored) Routledge, 2021 and Populisms in Bulgaria, Paradigmа, 2024 (co- authored).

Ciro Avitabile

Senior Economist, The World Bank

Ciro Avitabile is a Senior Economist in the Education Global Practice at the World Bank. Based in Vienna, Ciro oversees projects in basic and higher education across various countries in the European and Central Asia Region. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and advised governments in Latin America and Europe on education and social policies. Previously, he has been a Senior Lecturer at the University of Surrey. He received a PhD in Economics from University College London and a MSc from University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona.

Nadya Sinigerska

UN Global Compact in Bulgaria

Nadya Sinigerska hold MA in Law from the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and has 20 years of experience in managing various business processes and projects in an international corporate environment. The last 2 – and some of the most challenging – years have been in the non-governmental sector.

Before finding her place in the Bulgarian Network of the UN Global Compact, Nadya was part of the team of “Druzhba Glassworks”, the automotive industry at “Sensornite” (“EPIQ”) and the energy of “ContourGlobal Maritsa East 3”.

Dr. Paulína Koršňáková

Senior Research and Liaison Adviser, IEA

Dr. Paulína Koršňáková, Senior Research and Liaison Adviser to IEA, facilitates research networking, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration that enhance capacity building and knowledge sharing to foster innovation and quality in education. She serves as a series editor for the IEA Research for Educators and IEA Teacher Snippets.

Emmi Jäkkö

CEO lukukeskus – The Finnish Reading Centre

Daan Beeke

Stichting Lezen, The Netherlands / Network Manager EUREad

Thomas Kleinebrink

Senior Manager political communication, stiftung Lesen – Germany

Thomas Kleinebrink studied German language and literature, journalism and psychology in Münster and Vienna. Traineeship in the press department of Eichborn Verlag. Since then he works for Stiftung Lesen (German Reading Foundation), currently as Senior Manager Political Communication.

Sibina Grigorova

Managing Editor – Boulevard Bulgaria

Sibina Grigorova is a managing editor and a co-founder of https://boulevardbulgaria.bg. She has 15# years of experience as a journalist, she worked as a co-host of a TV show and an editor at a weekly journal, but her passion and professional interest are the online media. She loves to work with and educate young people. Sibina is part of the Three Women Foundation as well as part of the French charity project Rêves de vie (A Dream of Life) by Jean-Noël Thorel Foundation.

Valentina Stoeva

chairperson of the Reading Foundation – Bulgaria / co-chair EURead

Valentina Stoeva holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Sofia University and a master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from the New Bulgarian University. Since 2008, she has been actively promoting reading in Bulgaria. She is the founder and chairperson of the Children’s Books Foundation (Bulgaria) and the Reading Foundation (Bulgaria). Additionally, she serves as the Editor-In-Chief of the website detskiknigi.com.

Valentina has been appointed as the Libraries’ Ambassador by the Bulgarian Library and Information Association, and she has been honoured as a Knight of the Book by the Bulgarian Book Association. Currently, she is pursuing her PhD in Theory of Reading at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Sofia University.

Since June 2024 Valentina is appointed as a co-chair of EURead.

Victoria Biserova, PhD

chairperson of association ‘Books and Reading’ / publisher

After many years of experience as a communication consultant, Victoria Biserova dedicates herself to the book publishing business. She is the founder of “Enthusiast” and “Apostrof” publishing houses. Since 2012, she has been managing the largest bookstore in the country – Greenwich Book Center.
Victoria Biserova is the initiator of the first free beach library in Europe (2013) and the national campaign “Old paper for new book”. She is the winner of b2b Media’s Green Person of the Year Award for 2022, and in 2023 Victoria receives the Certificate of Unforgettability “Keeper of the History of the Holocaust” by The Organization of the Jews in Bulgaria (OJB) – Shalom.
In 2023, she founded the “Books and Reading” association and became one of the co-founders of The National Reading Pact in Bulgaria. Victoria Biserova is professor (Chief assistant) in the department of “Press Journalism and Book Publishing” at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.

Spaska Tarandova

CEO Global Libraries – Bulgaria Foundation

Спаска Тарандова е изпълнителен директор на Фондация „Глобални библиотеки – България”. Целият ѝ професионален опит е свързан с библиотеките, тяхното развитие и  модернизиране. Специализирала е в САЩ и е част е международна група за иновации в публичните библиотеки (INELI) на фондация „Бил и Мелинда Гейтс”.

Член е на Постоянния комитет на секцията „Публични библиотеки” на ИФЛА. Член е на УС на Българската библиотечно-информационна асоциация и на редколегията на списанието „ББИА онлайн”.

Тя е сред създателите на една от най-успешните кампании за насърчаване на детското четене – „Забавното лятно четене”. Активен участник в кампанията „Чети с мен” под патронажа на Президента на Република България Росен Плевнелиев. Инициатор е на стаята за ранно детско развитие в Столична библиотека в партньорство с ИКЕА България. Обучител с над 10-годишен опит.

Dessislava Alexieva

chairperson Bulgarian Book Association

Dessislava Alexieva is the founder of the cultural center and bookstore FOX book café, she has developed a methodology for early childhood development through reading. Dessislava is a publisher and Chair of the Board of the Bulgarian Book Association. Priority in her work is the development of policies that support books, reading and literacy, promotion of children’s reading, motivation of parents to read more, and improvement of books, culture, and knowledge accessibility. Dessislava Alexieva believes that books have the power to shape the future and transform people’s lives.

Yana Genova

Deputy Mayor for Culture, Education, Sports and Youth Activities, Sofia Municipality

Yana Genova studied Culturology at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. Her career in cultural management began in 1995. She has worked for Bulgarian and international organizations and programs in the fields of books, cultural periodicals, and translation. Yana Genova is the founder of the Next Page Foundation and the Literature and Translation House in Sofia, co-founder of the platform for reading promotion www.knigovishte.bg, and president of the Board of the European literary translation centers RECIT. She has experience as an expert in the EU’s Creative Europe program, as a counselor at the Ministry of Culture, and as a member of various working groups, including the group for the development of the strategy ‘Culture and Arts – The New Energy for Sustainable Development of Sofia 2023-2033.’ She is particularly interested in strategic planning and evaluating the societal impact of arts and culture.

Diana Andreeva

coordinator in the field of education, National network for children

Diana Andreeva is a coordinator of the Education department at the National Network for Children. She studied psychology at Sofia University with a specialisation in the psychology of development, culture, and education. Diana has more than 15 years of experience as an expert, trainer, and project manager in various NGOs, including the Balkan Assist Association and WWF Bulgaria. She was responsible for the educational aspect of the Global Libraries – Bulgariaprogramme between 2009 and 2013, during which more than 900 libraries and over 3,000 librarians were trained. Diana has also worked as a school psychologist, philosophy teacher, and deputy principal at a school in Sofia.

Donika Rizova

communications director, Association for modern trade

Donika Rizova is the Communications Director at the Association for Modern Trade, representing major wholesale retail companies in Bulgaria. Beyond her corporate role, she is passionate about fostering a love for reading among children and is the author of books for both young readers and adults.

As a journalist, Donika earned several prestigious awards, including the Golden Nib and St. Vlas Award for her TV show Media On Air. She also received the Golden Heart award for promoting reading and supporting charitable causes. In 2016, she was nominated for Grazia Magazine’s Woman of the Year.

Svetoslav Ivanov

journalist, TV host, bTV

Svetoslav Ivanov is a prominent Bulgarian journalist and television presenter, best known for hosting the current affairs program “120 Minutes” on bTV, one of Bulgaria’s leading television networks. Born in 1983 in Sofia, he has built a reputation for his in-depth reporting and insightful interviews, often covering a wide range of domestic and international issues.

Ivanov has been recognized for his journalistic work, particularly in areas such as international politics, global conflicts, and humanitarian crises. His experience includes on-the-ground reporting from various conflict zones and significant global events, which has made him one of Bulgaria’s most respected journalists. Ivanov is is the recipient of numerous honours and awards, including “Daniela Seizova Award” for Contribution to Bulgarian Society, “Golden Feather” Award of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists (UBJ), “Golden Medal Literacy” for great contribution for the journalism in Bulgaria. Council of European Scientific and Cultural society, European Union “Robert Shuman Award” for TV Documentary for the investigation “Crescent in the Crown”.

In addition to his television work, he is also an author, having written a book titled “Where The Trees Had Died” with travel notes from the warzones of the previous decade. This book reflects his experiences as a journalist, offering insights into global conflicts, human suffering, and the complexities of modern-day crises, drawn from his reporting in conflict zones and troubled regions.

His ability to analyze complex topics and present them in an accessible way has garnered him a loyal audience in Bulgaria. Ivanov’s work continues to play a significant role in shaping public discourse in the country.

Elitsa Kancheva

journalist, bTV

Elitsa Kancheva is a journalist who has worked for bTV since 2018. She is a reporter in the weekend morning programme This Saturday and This Sunday, focusing on culture coverage, and the author of several personal rubrics, including interviews with John Malkovich, Mireille Mathieu, Al Bano and Romina Power, Joshua Bell, and Mario Biondi.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in French Literature from Sofia University and in Modern Literature from the Sorbonne in Paris. Her master’s degree is in Audio-visual Industries from the University Paris VIII Vincennes – Saint-Denis. Elitsa has worked for the French national television channels France 3 and France 4. Before that, she was the host of the children’s programme Cool on the Bulgarian National Television and a reporter for its morning culture show.

Elitsa is the recipient of several awards, including the Young Journalist award from the Vassa Gancheva Foundation, as well as the Young Journalist award from the Union of Bulgarian Journalists and the French Cultural Institute.

Alexander Krastev

founder of azcheta.com, linkedin marketing lecturer 

Alexander Krastev is the founder of the book website “Аз чета” (I Read), the first Bulgarian LinkedIn marketing agency BookMark and the English-language blog TheLinkedBlog.com. He is also the author of the column “The Linked Practitioner” in the Bulgarian edition of Forbes magazine.

With over 15 years of experience in online communication, Aleksandar teaches LinkedIn marketing at New Bulgarian University.

He is a recipient of the titles “Knight of the Book” and “Ambassador of Libraries.”