About Us

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTE

Ambass., Assoc. Prof., Dr. Zdravko Popov

  • Master’s degree in Philosophy and Psychology from Sofia University „St. Kliment Ohridski“
  • PhD in philosophy;
  • Specialization in Humanities in Italy;
  • Specialization in Foreign Policy and Diplomacy in USA;
  • Specialization in Public Policy in England;
  • Foreign Policy Adviser to the President of Bulgaria Zhelyu Zhelev;
  • Founder and Director of the Diplomatic Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
  • Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria in the Czech Republic;
  • Editor-in-Chief of the “Diplomacy” Journal;
  • Lecturer at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Aneta Tusheva, M.L.A

  • Director of Education, International Relations and Projects at the Institute of Public Administration (IPA).
  • Еxpert and head in the Ministry of Education and Science, the State Agency for Child Protection, the National Revenue Agency and the IPA.
  • Master of Philosophy and Public Administration from Sofia University “St. Kl. Ohridski”.
  • Specializations in institutes of Public Administration in Ireland, UK, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands and others.
  • Lecturer at Sofia University St. Kl. Ohridski and New Bulgarian University.

Dr. Hristo Kutiev

  • Master of Law from the Law Faculty at the Sofia University „St. Kliment Ohridski“;
  • Specializations in Justice, Public Administration, International Law and International Relations;
  • Specialization in English Law and EU Law;
  • PhD in the field of Criminal litigation at the Institute for the State and Law at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.

MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Dr. Klaus Fiesinger

  • Regional Director for South-East Europe of Hanns Seidel Foundation.
  • Ph.D. in political sciences from University of Munich.
  • Visiting professor at the Andrassy University in Budapest.
  • Expert in political culture, civic education, international dialogue, European integration, cross-border police cooperation.
  • Member of Austrian Institute for the Danube Zone and Central Europe, Vienna.
  • Member of “Sudosteuropa Gesellschaft”, Munich.
  • Author of the book “Ballhausplatz-Diplomatie 1945-1949”

Ron Ton

  • Director of the Clingendael Diplomatic Academy in The Netherlands.
  • Expert, trainer and advisor in diplomatic negotiations, conflict resolutions, mediation, leadership and strategic policy planning.
  • Advisor and trainer in capacity building – offers programs in curricula design, training of trainers and strategic development to diplomatic and defense academies.
  • He trains and delivers advices to diplomatic services in more 60 countries all over the world.
  • Visiting professor in strategic policy planning at Europe College in Bruges, Belgium.

Professor Dr. Vesselin Popovski

  • Ph.D. from King’s College, London, United Kingdom;
  • Assis. Prof. at School of History, Politics and Sociology, University of Exeter, UK;
  • Senior Academic Officer, Director of Research “Peace and Governance” Program, United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan;
  • Professor, Dean of Law School, Director of Centre for UN Studies, O.P. Jindal Global University, Harayana, India;
  • Professor, Graduate School of International Peace Studies, SOKA University, Japan.