“The Pragmatic Citizen’s Handbook,” a new initiative by MOVE.BG, presents simple steps through which each of us can become an active citizen and help improve the quality of life for our families, as well as help improve the living environment in our neighborhoods, cities, and throughout our country. The Handbook is based on the ideas of 32 leading Bulgarian experts from various fields, whom MOVE.BG brought together around the goal of promoting public prosperity amid constant and deepening divisions that are dismantling societal cohesion.
“Every one of us can be an agent of positive change and make Bulgaria a better place to live and thrive. Let’s be citizens who love our country and show it through the daily actions that may seem small at first glance, but are precisely what make our lives better—both personally and as a society,” Sasha Bezuhanova, founder of MOVE.BG, has said during the launch event of the Handbook.
How Can We Be Pragmatic Citizens?
“The Pragmatic Citizen’s Handbook” covers eight key topics for our prosperity that have become lost amid slogans and clichés in recent years. These are issues that affect the lives of every one of us and can make our lives better, more peaceful, and more prosperous:
- developing clean, affordable Bulgarian energy that is accessible to every household;
- protecting forests and waters as a natural shield against fires, floods, and landslides;
- developing smart, accessible, and high-quality public transportation and tackling the problem of air pollution;
- improving media literacy and encouraging critical thinking;
- developing regions by promoting the production of clean food, supporting traditional crafts, and developing eco-tourism;
- increasing civic control through active citizen participation in the political process and decision-making;
- developing local democracy so that citizens have a major say in what their neighborhood and city look like;
- reusing resources as a path to improve household finances and the economy, which can reuse available resources instead of importing new ones.
The Handbook includes specific definitions of these major societal topics so that citizens can realize their significance again. “The Pragmatic Citizen’s Handbook” also includes brief, practical advice on what people can do to become pragmatic citizens today, at home and on their own street.
Over the next few days, MOVE.BG will publish short video stories featuring pragmatic citizens from across the country who work every day to make our lives better. Because it’s important to see good examples.
See the videos here (in BG).
Check out the Handbook here (in BG).
View photos from the Handbook launch event here.
The Pragmatic Citizen’s Handbook - for Citizens Who Love Bulgaria!
