VIHREN MITEV

Vihren’s professional path starts in 2012 by being an intern at the Center for Study of Democracy, then being communications assistant at the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute and most recently - working for the Atlantic Club of Bulgarian as project manager and personal assistant to Dr. Solomon Passy, foreign minister of Bulgaria (2001-2005). From 2017 Vihren becomes the author of the Ecological Manifesto which led to the establishment of “Ecological Manifesto – ManEco” Foundation (2018) which he is directing. Most recently Vihren is occupied with the development of the activities of the foundation such as – organizing and participation in projects, education of youth in schools and universities, assisting causes for recycling and reducing the use of plastic packaging.

“Be true to yourself and always listen to your inner voice”

Q: TELL US A FEW THINGS ABOUT YOUR COUNTRY, AND ALSO YOUR LIFE'S STORY!

Bulgaria has wonderful nature, long history and intelligent people with warm hearts. It is a country that still keeps its ancient and authentic customs such as the Martenitsa which is worn from March 1 for health and longevity until the wearer first sees a stork, swallow, or blossoming tree, the Nestinari barefoot dancers on smouldering ember and the kukeri fairs which scare the evil spirits and make the year full of good harvest, health, and happiness. Bulgaria has also a strong view of the future and it is preparing its future generations for the digital age in which we all will be living.

Most important in life is becoming the person you want to be. In this regard deciding to go for a PhD and developing a strong authentic view of the world is something that I can say makes me proud of myself. This effort led me to write the Ecological Manifesto and establishing a nonprofit organization focused on ecology. On another hand having a healthy family and working for others are things that I want to achieve in the near future and most probably will turn into the story of my life.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF THE WORLD AS IT IS TODAY? AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE CONCEPT OF A BETTER WORLD?

For much more than 21 centuries of history people are surprisingly unaware of what the world is, what is important and which life goals are meaningful. Just compare the material life of a rich representative of the western culture with the spiritual life of Mahatma Gandhi or any Tibetan monk. Without criticizing capitalism I have to say that it is sad when businesses go for profits instead of providing meaningful and valuable services. It is sad when powerful individuals and decision-makers fail in bringing positive social and ecological changes. It is sad when our educational system fails to give them proper education and doesn’t teach children in creativity, sustainable development, equality, justice, generosity, ecology – how to be better people living in a globalized world situated in a planetary universe.

In a better world, people should be living as more equal and environmentally friendly, thus avoiding possible conflicts. Earth is our home and humanity is our family, full stop. Here we don’t have to understand this idea in its political sense but as a call for being better human beings and in regard to the huge threats posed by global warming and pollution – being better Earthians.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY CHALLENGES IN YOUR SOCIETY?

Most of the times people live within the notion of the span of their lifetime and their children’s. This is not entirely wrong but in my opinion, for such a long time of progress, we should’ve understood that, first, the high living standard that we have resulted from the efforts of previous generations, and second, that more generations are going to come after us. We need a long term vision to protect us from being egocentric, greedy and hypocritical.

Q: AS A YOUNG INDIVIDUAL WHAT ARE A FEW OF THE HURDLES THAT YOU HAD TO OVERCOME UP UNTIL TODAY?

One of the hardest things for a young individual is to prove that he is capable and intelligent enough to take responsibilities and bring his ideas into practice. To convince himself that he should work for creating meaning in his life bottom-up instead to fall victim to the opinion of others and pursue a professional career just for the sake of it.

So finding and listening to my inner voice was a long path that I had to walk through. Nowadays we have to be careful about making no pollution, recycling more and distributing resources to the most important spheres of human life – medicine, science and education. Convincing small groups of people that this is the right thing for humanity to do is a hurdle that I managed to overcome. Convincing large groups of people will be the next hurdle in the same direction.

Q: WHY IS THE ROLE OF A MENTOR IMPORTANT FOR YOU?

In my opinion, there is no person able to succeed in life only by himself. One is in a fortunate position and if he is wise enough he should be aware that in the same time while he is living on the shoulders of giants lived before him, he has to give back so that the rest can follow. In the same time, he is a leader but also a receiver of help. This process goes back to the dawn of humanity. If you know this way you will be walking it.

Q: DO YOU HAVE A LESSON THAT LIFE HAS TAUGHT YOU AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

Life thought me to this: be humble, be honest, be kind, be generous, be calm, be creative, good and follow your dreams. Be true to yourself and always listen to your inner voice. There is a path meant only for you and if you know that, you will be at peace with the world.

Q: NAME A PROJECT, A FOUNDATION OR A PERSON IN YOUR COUNTRY THAT YOU THINK IS DOING GREAT WORK IN HELPING IMPROVE OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES!

Many foreign organizations are helping. As a local organization, Caritas Bulgaria should be pointed out as the organization working to eradicate poverty and ensure decent life.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WOMEN IN YOUR COUNTRY FACE AND WHAT EFFORTS ARE MADE TOWARDS GENDER EQUALITY?

Some companies ensure than men and women have equal basic payment and then their salaries depend on the different amount of work they do monthly.

Q: ATHENA40 IS THE FIRST EVER GLOBAL SELECTION OF THE TOP 40 WOMEN FORWARD THINKERS, COMMENTATORS, ACTIVISTS, AUTHORS, ACADEMICS, ENTREPRENEURS, EXECUTIVES, INNOVATORS. CAN YOU THINK OF A TRULY INNOVATIVE AND FORWARD-THINKING WOMAN FROM YOUR COUNTRY THAT YOU WISH TO NOMINATE FOR THE ATHENA40 GLOBAL RANKING?

Ms. Gergana Passy is Founder & President of PanEuropa Bulgaria, Vice President of International PanEuropean Union and digital champion of Bulgaria to the European Union. She has received "Decade Woman" Award with Special Award "Engine of Change" and in in 2017 was nominated by the Bulgarian Ministry of Transportation and Information Technologies for EQUALS in Tech Awards, organized by The International Telecommunication and UN Women.

Q: SHARE WITH US A PHRASE, A POEM OR A STORY THAT YOU LOVE OR YOU FIND INTERESTING!

According to Andrew Carnegie quality of living is: "To spend the first third of his life getting all the education he can. To spend the next third making all the money he can. To spend the last third giving it all away for worthwhile causes." Of course, it is not necessary to stress on the second third of one’s life. One can help with showing proper attitude to others, voluntary work and just without doing wrong.

Q: TELL US ONE THING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM YOUR MENTOR.

I am greatly thankful to the Global Thinkers Forum’s “Telemachus” international mentoring program for introducing me to Ms. Nada Majdalani. She is an amazingly intelligent, kind and down to earth person. Being a successful professionalist nothing is stopping her to be a great parent at the same time. In my opinion, she has walked a long way but she knows where she is coming from. I learnt from her to be patient and to care for the smallest details and opportunities in regard to the bigger ones. She taught me not only to dream big but also to put the same energy into action. To believe more into myself and the success of my deeds.