Bulgarian English Speech and Debate Tournaments Foundation

Mission statement: By providing English-language speech and debate tournaments, student leadership opportunities, and international programming to Bulgarian high school students, the BEST Foundation promotes critical thinking skills and free thought so as to foster a community of engaged, democratically-minded citizens who are committed to creating a bright future for Bulgaria. Vision: We believe that words are powerful, and can engage diverse viewpoints to contribute to the well-being of societies. Programs: BEST accomplishes its mission through the following activities: - providing speech and debate tournaments to Bulgarian and foreign students - supporting teachers and coaches with curriculum and trainings - creating student-centered leadership opportunities - informing and educating students about local and global issues and ideas - fostering a network of citizens who envision and are working toward a bright future for Bulgaria Impact: Though no two experiences through BEST are alike, the following characterizes significant patterns of change experienced through participation in BEST's programming: 1) Exposure: Through BEST, participants are exposed to new ideas, views, and perspectives. 2) Conviction: Participants then begin to care about certain ideas that they have been exposed to. 3) Education: Once they find an idea they care more about, they begin to learn more about this idea, and become more critically aware of what is going on. 4) Action: Based on what participants have learned and care about, they take action. Action can take many different forms.