More than ten years of economic and social transition, or reconstruction, have certainly left a mark on civil society in Central and South-East Europe. Communication inevitably takes on an extremely important role within this framework and, nowadays it is still playing a key part in the social, economic and civil transition of Bulgaria as it prepares to join the European Union.

Great structural changes are being witnessed in Eastern Europe today. As a result, communication can be recognised as one of the main factors in increasing the civil consciousness and participation on the part of citizens. At the same time, the development of the communication sector in Central and South-East Europe seems hindered by shortcomings in the training of young operators: the required professional skills are lacking, new technologies are far from widespread and opportunities to access to major international information sources are limited.

The training course
The Advanced European Media Training is a programme designed specifically for communication operators in Bulgaria. The course is addressed to journalists and other media professionals and aims to provide them with information and experience so that they can become more skilful in media management methods and practices. The main goal of the project is to provide media professionals with consistent knowledge of a relevant thematic scope and media management practices. In 2005 - 2006, AEMT trains 34 young Bulgarian journalists and media sector operators through five months of classroom work and training in Sofia and a two weeks residential campus in Italy in Rome. Unidea Unicredit Foundation is in charge of the general organisation of the course. It is supported by the Project partners AP Com and Jacques Maritain Institute. The local partner are the Bulgarian Media Coalition and the Media Development Center.