Bulgaria Judicial Reform Grantees Hold Regional Exhibition
Four USAID grantees held a public exhibition on the work of courts on June 27th in Targovishte, Bulgaria. The joint effort was part of USAID Judicial Strengthening Initiative (JSI) work to support innovative and sustainable partnerships between courts and the communities they serve. The JSI Northern Bulgaria Public Exhibition involved diverse but interrelated rule of law partners - Inteleco Association, Targovishte; Vassil Levski Chitalishte of the village of Vassil Levski, Shumen Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the NGO Center from Razgrad.
Each of the four grantees presented its project and major accomplishments to local and regional media, magistrates, and other local NGO representatives. The attendance of judges—Chairs of Shumen District and Regional Courts, Deputy Chair of the Targovishte District Court and a judge from the Razgrad District Court—evidenced the effective relationships between the local courts and organizations representing local communities.
The event culminated with a mock trial performed by students trained in basic legal skills and court procedures under the Inteleco project. In keeping with the best practices supported by JSI, the mock trial took place in a real courtroom with a real judge. The Regional Exhibition was the first step towards a National Public Exhibition planned for Fall 2006, when all thirty current JSI grantees finalize their project activities.
 |
| Judge Ken Stuart, Director of the USAID JSI (seated, center), joins Targovishte judges and students following a mock trial at the JSI Regional Grantee Exhibition |
Back to Top ^ |
