български
About the event
The future competitiveness of Bulgaria and Europe depends on the strength of their human capital.
Literacy and education form the foundation for developing the skills needed for decades to come.
In Bulgaria, declining reading results among children and young people represent a serious challenge to the country’s ability to keep pace in an increasingly knowledge-driven economy. At the same time, encouraging practices and targeted efforts across various sectors show that significant progress is possible.
The second edition of the Future 2.0 Forum brings together national and international experts, institutions, and stakeholders under the motto “Literacy for Education, Leadership, and Skills of the Future.” All participants will explore the most effective solutions for strengthening literacy in Bulgaria and achieving change—urgently and at scale.
The forum is planned as a one-day event with international participation. With the help of Bulgarian and foreign experts, it will outline the areas where Bulgaria needs to make targeted efforts and investments to transform the environment.
Through discussions in various panels, forum attendees will learn more about the skills required for the jobs of the future and leadership, understand the benefits of investing in literacy from different perspectives, and compare best practices in Bulgaria with examples from Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The event is suitable for company managers, leaders of governmental and non-governmental organizations, PR and HR specialists, political and economic analysts, financiers, university professors, specialists in IT, trade and innovation, education, culture, and more.
Participation in the forum is free of charge. Registration is mandatory.
RegistrationDetails
- Date: November 20, 2025 (Thursday)
- Time: 09:00 – 17:00
- Location: INTERPRED – World Trade Center, Sofia, 36 Dragan Tsankov Blvd (Google Maps)
Agenda
| 09:00 – 09:20 | Registration |
| 09:20 – 09:40 | Opening and Welcome Addresses
Host: Alexander Krastev |
| 09:40 –10:00 | Christina de Bruin, UNICEF |
| Panel 1: Reading, Literacy, and Skills of the Future | |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | The Challenge of Deep Reading in the Digital Age
Prof. Adriaan van der Weel, University of Leiden, the Netherlands |
| 10:30 – 11:00 | Literacy, Education, and Future Skills: The Situation in Bulgaria
Prof. Assenka Hristova, Institute for Research in Education, Bulgaria |
| 11:00 – 12:00 |
Panel Discussion with Experts and Organizational Representatives; Summary of Key Issues
Moderator: Milena Yaninska, NovaNews |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Lunch |
| Panel 2: The European Dimension | |
| 13:00 – 13:05 | |
| 13:05 – 13:25 |
Valentina Stoeva, Reading Foundation Bulgaria / Chair of EURead |
| 13:25 – 13:50 | Ireland: Tackling Literacy Challenges – Approaches to Developing Reading Interest
Elaina Ryan, Children’s Books Ireland / EURead Board Member |
| 13:50 – 14:15 | United Kingdom: Access to Books for Better Educational Outcomes and the Role of School Libraries
Marc Lambert, Scottish BookTrust, UK |
| 14:15 – 15:00 |
Discussion with Panelists and Representatives of Bulgarian Organizations and Institutions Panelists:
Moderator: Alexander Krastev, BookMark |
| 15:00 – 15:30 | Coffee Break |
| Panel 3: Future 2.0 | |
| 15:30 – 16:30 | Professions of the Future: How Innovators and Leaders Are Nurtured
Discussion with representatives from companies and organizations from the technology sector Moderator: Andrey Anastasov, Lideri.bg |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Roadmap for Bulgaria Presentation of the National Reading Pact activities and discussion with the audience on next steps Moderator: Milena Yaninska, NovaNews |
| 17:00 | Closing of the Forum |
Speakers
Christina de Bruin
Unicef
Ms. Christina de Bruin has been UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria since 2021. UNICEF in the country works to build a better future for every child.
Christina de Bruin has been working for children as an international civil servant for over 25 years. She has extensive experience around the world, working in humanitarian and development contexts including at UNICEF Headquarters. Prior to her current assignment, Ms. De Bruin worked as Deputy Director at the UNICEF Office for Relations with EU Institutions in Brussels providing leadership in innovative partnerships, overseeing resource mobilization and leveraging strategic partnerships. She represented UNICEF in global interactions with a diversity of EU partners at political and policy levels.
She has further served as Deputy Representative with UNICEF in Cote d’Ivoire, and held functions with UNICEF in Senegal, Sri Lanka, and New York Headquarters. Prior to joining UNICEF, Mrs. De Bruin worked at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Policy Advisor with the Human Rights, Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Aid Division.
Christina de Bruin is a national of the Netherlands. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Public Administration from the University of Leiden and a Bachelor’s Degree in European Human Rights Law/Political Science. She is married and has two children.
PROF. ADRIAAN VAN DER WEEL
EMERITUS EXTRAORDINARY PROFESSOR OF BOOK STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF LEIDEN, THE NETHERLANDS
Adriaan van der Weel was educated at the University of Leiden, Trinity College Dublin, and the University of Sydney. He holds a PhD from the University of Leiden (1997).
Van der Weel’s research interests focus on the digitisation of textual transmission and reading, publishing studies and scholarly communication. He has served on the boards of several journals and associations dedicated to book history, reading and digital media studies.
From 2014 to 2019 Van der Weel was vice-chair of the COST Action ‘E-READ’, about the future of reading in the digital age, and he is a co-author of the ‘Ljubljana Manifesto on Higher-Level Reading’ (2023). His contributions extend beyond academia through public lectures and consultations with educational institutions and publishing houses. To popularise his academic work he has also, together with Ruud Hisgen, published The Reading Human: How the Book Defines Our Existence (2022, in Dutch; 2025, in Russian).
PROF. ASSENKA HRISTOVA
FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN EDUCATION & MANAGING PARTNER AT INDUSTRY WATCH GROUP
Asenka Hristova is the founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Research in Education. She has extensive experience in conducting socio-economic and educational research. Her work focuses on improving the effectiveness and quality of the education system, supporting schools in making data-driven decisions, enhancing learning motivation, and ensuring that young people’s competencies align with the needs of the economy and society.
As an education expert, she participates in various international initiatives aimed at improving education and developing future skills. She is the author of numerous studies in the fields of education, early childhood development, and the creation of a knowledge-based economy.
Ms Hristova is a member of the European Commission’s Working Group on Vocational Education and Training and the Green Transition, and an adviser to the European Economic and Social Committee. She is also a co-founder and long-time manager of Industry Watch Group.
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”.
VALENTINA STOEVA
CHAIRPERSON OF THE READING FOUNDATION – BULGARIA / CHAIR OF EUREAD
Valentina holds a BA in Political Science from Sofia University, an MA in Diplomacy and International Relations from New Bulgarian University and she’s currently pursuing a PhD in Theory of Reading at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Sofia University.
Since 2008, she has been actively promoting reading in Bulgaria and is the founder and chairperson of the Children’s Books Foundation (Bulgaria) and the Reading Foundation (Bulgaria).
Valentina believes that reading is the key to overcoming inequalities and transforming the world we live in. She is currently working on the topics of early bookgifting programmes, school libraries, libraries in the kindergarten and developing literacy networks.
Since July 2025 Valentina is appointed as a chair of EURead.
ELAINA RYAN
CEO OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS IRELAND / CO-CHAIR OF EUREAD
Elaina Ryan is the CEO of Children’s Books Ireland. She holds a BA in Languages and Cultural Studies from University of Limerick and an MLitt in Publishing from University of Stirling.
She has a background in children’s book publishing and spent 11 years as co-Artistic Director, with Niamh Sharkey, of Towers and Tales Children’s Book Festival in Waterford. Elaina has led the team in Children’s Books Ireland since 2013. She lives in Dublin with her family.
Since June 2025 Elaina is appointed as a Board Member of EURead. She is also part of the Advisory Board of the Reading Foundation Bulgaria.
MARC LAMBERT
CEO OF SCOTTISH BOOK TRUST, UK
Marc Lambert studied history at Edinburgh University, graduating with an MA Hons. He worked for Waterstones as a main fiction buyer, then for Penguin Books in Italy and the UK. After four years interpreting contemporary art at The Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, he joined The Edinburgh International Book Festival, becoming the Assistant Director.
In 2002 he was appointed CEO of Scottish Book Trust.
VICTORIA BISEROVA, PHD
CHAIRWOMAN OF ASSOCIATION ‘BOOKS AND READING’ / PUBLISHER
Victoria Biserova holds a PhD in Public Communications and Information Sciences (Journalism – Book Studies) and is a Senior Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” She has a Bachelor’s degree in Publishing and a Master’s degree in Electronic Media Production. She teaches key courses at Sofia University related to contemporary publishing, the production of publishing products, and advertising.
She is the author of the dissertation “Production Models for the Mediatization of the Book”,which provides an in-depth analysis of the processes of mediatization and digitalization as opportunities for transforming the publisher’s profession.
Victoria Biserova is the founder of the publishing houses Enthusiast and Apostrof, as well as the manager of Greenwich Book Center. She has dedicated her professional career to books, actively working to promote them as a cultural value and a right of every citizen.
She is the initiator of numerous large-scale and sustainable national campaigns, including “Old Paper for New Book” and Europe’s first free beach library. She is also a co-founder of the Day of Reading – Bulgaria and the National Reading Pact, established in 2023.
Eng. PETYA GOSPODINOVA-Yoncheva
BULGARIAN BOOK ASSOCIATION CHAIRWOMAN, CIELA PUBLISHING
Eng. Petya Gospondinova–Yoncheva is the Chair of the Board of the Bulgarian Book Association (2025) and Director of Ciela Publishing House.
She graduated from the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy with a master’s degree in Engineering, specialising in Water Supply and Sewerage. Petya Gospondinova also holds a master’s degree in Economics with a specialisation in Small and Medium Enterprise Management and Financial Management.
Ognian trajanov
owner and executive director of technologica
Ognian Trajanov is the owner and executive director of TechnoLogica.
He is the author of the idea and creator of the interactive science and technology center TechnoMagicLand, which was awarded by the Bulgarian Forum of Business Leaders in the category „Knowledge Investor“ and by the Bulgarian Donor Forum as „Best Donor Program“ in 2019.
He is the initiator of the „Engineering education – solid and working“ program, which supported the modernization of engineering work automation training in 10 universities.
During his two mandates as chairman of the United Nations Global Compact Bulgarian Network, under his leadership, the National Plan for the CSR Europe „Pact for Youth“ project was developed. As chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies (BAIT), he initiated and received support from the industry and the Ministry of Education and Science for the creation of a national program „IT Business Teaches“, which grew into „Business Teaches“. After two successful terms as chairman of BAIT, from 2021 he is its vice-chairman.
He completed engineering education at the Technical University – Sofia, as well as block B and C – engineer-specialist in Applied Mathematics and Informatics. He was a research associate in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Ognian Trajanov is a speaker at numerous events dedicated to leadership, innovation, education and corporate social responsibility.
He is the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of the Philippines in Bulgaria.
ilia Krastev
managing partner at A DATA PRO / chairman of brait and a member of the board of aibest
Ilia Krastev is a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience in business services and innovation. He is a Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian Employers’ Association of Information Technology (BRAIT) and previously served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Association for Innovation, Business Services, and Technology (AIBEST) from 2019 to 2025. For over 15 years, he has been the CEO of A Data Pro, a company that specializes in data, media and risk intelligence
Beyond his professional achievements, Iliya is passionate about fostering innovation, building strong teams, and driving sustainable business growth. He values collaboration and continuous learning, drawing from his MBA from Cotrugli Business School and specialized studies in global management and leadership at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. He has also deepened his expertise in human resource development at Tokai University.
Iliya brings value to others by bridging business strategy with technology, mentoring emerging leaders, and contributing to the advancement of the business services sector. His dedication to knowledge-sharing and innovation helps organizations and professionals navigate the ever-evolving business landscape.
Moderators
MILENA YANINSKA
JOURNALIST, TV HOST, NOVANEWS
Milena Yaninska is a journalist whose education, profession, and passion intersect seamlessly. She studied journalism and has worked in magazines—including as editor-in-chief—as well as in radio as a reporter and host.
For the past ten years, she has been part of television, working across multiple areas of electronic media: morning show host and reporter, news anchor, and documentary author.
She currently hosts the afternoon program “Social Network” on NovaNews, where she engages with experts to explore solutions to pressing social issues affecting everyday life.
ANDREY ANASTASSOV
LIDERI.BG (BULGARIA)
Andrey graduated from the American University in Bulgaria in Journalism and European Studies and has an MA degree in Political Science from the Central European University.
He works in the private, NGO sectors and media in the areas of human capital and business development. He has hosted a business and a career talk show on Darik radio and is now building the platform Lideri.BG, with which he presents and connects Bulgarian leaders of the tech transformation abroad.
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 “Libraries Ambassador”.
Organizers and Partners
Organizers
With the Financial support of
The event is part of the Calendar of Cultural events of Sofia Municipality for 2025
Media partners
