Neil Buhne took his post as a UNDP Resident Representative/UN Resident Coordinator in Bulgaria from September 2003. His previous assignment was as a UNDP Resident Representative/UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus since 5 July 1999. He had worked for UNDP in progressively more responsible positions for 19 years in five countries, most recently as UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei-Darussalam, and before that in Pakistan, Bhutan, Sudan and Sri Lanka. Buhne holds a Master's Degree in International Affairs from the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. He speaks English, French, German, and Russian.
Neil Buhne answered the questions of novinite.com Editor Nadya Dimitrova.
Q:You have worked in several countries before coming to Bulgaria. In what way is Bulgaria unique? And what surprised you when you arrived in Bulgaria?
A:After a few weeks here I have been struck by the strong sense of national identity and history. Of course each country has its own identity, but I feel the sense of being Bulgarian is more important here and gives some of the self-confidence for the level of innovation I have seen here so far in many areas - and I have only just arrived! As to what surprised me when I arrived - how high and how close Vitosha was to the city and how attractive the centre of Sofia was. But I was also surprised by the contrast to areas in and around city where most people live and where conditions were not always as attractive.
Q:Do you think that Bulgaria's image abroad is improving? Where is Bulgaria on the geopolitical map of the world now?
A:If prizes were given for countries, Bulgaria might be able to win the most improved image award, as reflected in the growing number of tourists coming here. An important reason for this is where Bulgaria is now on the geopolitical map, which is in Europe. This is an accomplishment to be admired considering the problems faced in 1996 and 1997 and the legacy from the Communist period before 1990.
A:UNDP is "advocating for change". What needs to be changed in Bulgaria?
Q:All countries agreed to Millenium Development Goals in September 2000. In a report released earlier this year, the Government and the UN put these goals in the Bulgarian context. For example, incomes should increase by three times by 2015 and unemployment should decrease by at least a third, if Bulgaria is to have levels anywhere near the European levels. Similarly enrolment in primary schools should be 100% and 85% at the secondary level. Levels of child and maternal mortality, which are respectively two and four times higher than EU averages, should come down. The challenge is for Bulgaria to manage the rapid changes it is going through, to make these changes results in increases in all peoples' welfare. In the period up to EU accession and immediately subsequently, Bulgaria will have unique opportunities to do this.
Q:In your opinion, which is the biggest achievement of your predecessor in Bulgaria? What are the biggest challenges you will face in your work here?
A:The biggest achievement is the level of trust and confidence, the UN system in Bulgaria, and UNDP in particular enjoy on the part of Government, donors and our many many partners throughout the country. But with trust also comes expectations. My biggest challenge will be ensure these expectations are met - in short that we continue to find useful ways to support Bulgarians in managing their many changes, so that they have more choices in life, which in UNDP we call Human Development
Q:There are many problems that overshadow the grave issue of the increasing numbers of HIV positive Bulgarians and the discrimination they face in Bulgaria's society. How is UNDP assisting the country in overcoming these serious matters?
A:People tend to associate HIV with Africa, even though the region with the most rapid spread of the disease is Eastern Europe and the CIS countries. Where I worked before in Belarus, we helped host a meeting earlier this year of HIV positive people from throughout the region who learned from HIV positive activists from around the world. The reason? In the USA, Canada and Western Europe, HIV positive people have proven to be the most effective advocates for actions, which stop the spread of HIV, including access to treatment. Discrimination against HIV positive people silences the voice of people who can be the most effective agents to stop HIV. Many UN agencies working in Bulgaria, especially UNAIDS, UNDP, UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF have worked with the government on a strategic plan to stop the spread of AIDS and we are advocating for policies to stop discrimination. Bulgaria has obtained a large grant from the Global Fund against TB, AIDS and Malaria, which represents an important opportunity to stop the spread of AIDS. An important part of such work is ending discrimination to HIV positive Bulgarians.
Q:What are the gravest problems Bulgaria faces now?
A:The gains Bulgaria has made over the last year in terms of economic stability, a sound banking system and its entry into Europe are very impressive. And while these gains are translating into an emerging middle class, large parts of the population still perceive only the pain from the changes and not the gains. It is important that they not feel they are excluded and that there are not gains for them in the changes the country is going through. The Government is undertaking many good and innovative measure to address this issue, but the scale of the problem is big, and if not solved could affect Bulgaria's future development path.
Q:Would you recommend Bulgaria to foreign investors?
A:Yes. A country with macro-economic stability. A country with a population that is well-educated and which values education. A country where there is a consensus among all main political parties on the direction forward. A country with millions of skilled, capable women whose skills are not yet full utilized. A country, which will be part of two of the most powerful regional organizations, the EU and NATO. A country, which is an active member of the United Nations. A country with a lot of potential still to be realized, with dynamic young people, and with new foreign investor friendlier policies coming into place. All these make it an attractive place for foreign investment!
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Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (novinite.com)
