Cultural Diplomacy & Creative Power with Mariya Gabriel: How Empathy Shapes the Leaders of Tomorrow

00:00:00: Look at what is the venture capital invested in women-led startups?

00:00:04: Two percent.

00:00:05: We need stronger support, we need more visibility of success stories... ...we need to inspire young girls.

00:00:13: if you lost somewhere your empathy You will never have a good intuition!

00:00:19: If you can't serve your own vision and be leader it's simply not possible.

00:00:30: Welcome another episode.

00:00:32: her voice impacts where we are amplifying women's voices globally in arts, culture entertainment innovation.

00:00:42: I'm Daniella Eon and We Are In Bulgaria in Sofia And what a beautiful country this is!

00:00:51: I am going to be taking you on the journey of cultural diplomacy and creativity.

00:00:58: Maria Gabriel is my guest today and she has had various roles as EU Commissioner for Creativity, Culture & Innovation also Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria.

00:01:13: And at present the President of The Robert Schumann Institute raising leaders of the future.

00:01:26: Maria thank you so much for joining us here on Her Voice Impacts.

00:01:31: it's a pleasure to have And I wanted to start with, tell us about growing up in your hometown here in Bulgaria.

00:01:39: Tell us a little

00:01:40: bit about that?

00:01:41: Well thank you very much Daniela.

00:01:43: it's great pleasure and honor be part of such an amazing initiative.

00:01:48: so Thank You So Much for helping us raising women voices.

00:01:52: So, well I want really to say that i'm happy.

00:01:56: Uh...I was born in a country in Bulgaria and at the time wasn't member of European Union.

00:02:02: And today first thing is we can see difference!

00:02:07: I am happy to live in Sofia, I am very happy because we are part Europe.

00:02:13: The EU is an amazing project where you don't have only free circulation of persons, you also have freedom.

00:02:22: You also have the respect to each other and an amazing cultural diversity.

00:02:28: And this cultural diversity is not a reason for fighting It's a reason to build bridges.

00:02:38: To better understand the other culture, history and story.

00:02:43: And that is something amazing.

00:02:45: So Sofia for me is symbol of city with very rich history but also positive look at future With perspective, opportunities

00:02:57: Opportunity.

00:02:58: Absolutely, today more than ever I see Sofia as a city of opportunities.

00:03:03: and how did opportunity come to you in this beautiful path of politics?

00:03:09: And being able to speak and be at events

00:03:12: obviously

00:03:13: empowering women is well.

00:03:14: at the same time

00:03:17: Well, I must say that I always was moved by the European Union as a project of peace and tolerance.

00:03:24: Freedom... And when i had this opportunity to be engaged in European politics That's something amazing for me because on one side at that time In two thousand nine I was elected for first time in the European Parliament.

00:03:43: The country just joined the European Union.

00:03:46: So there is a learning process where you learn that... you have rights, but we also have obligations.

00:03:54: You also have a responsibility to contribute this project in positive way... ...to learn the art of compromise and negotiation how you can defend your own point-of-view by respecting all others' points of view And finally finding a common solution.

00:04:14: So for me that was great experience because I I was able to contribute, yes.

00:04:23: To know Bulgaria better inside of the European Union but also... ...to show in Bulgaria that the EU is a big opportunity for the country.. ..to move forward and develop itself And it's great!

00:04:38: It has been an amazing opportunity for all of us.

00:04:41: How did you learn these skills?

00:04:44: people listening might think, oh okay how on earth did you do that?

00:04:48: Like How do get this confidence just to enter in and be doing the things it you do.

00:04:53: Well actually That was not obvious because before I Studied international relations And a very precise expertise Was the decision-making process of The European Union Really So?

00:05:08: i was teaching that.

00:05:09: No And suddenly when You have the opportunity To go on the the other side, not on this site of theory but practice.

00:05:19: You have to dare and show some courage!

00:05:24: It's not easy.

00:05:26: that was an easy decision because when you are a researcher, when you are teacher.

00:05:35: You stay very much in the neutrality

00:05:38: and objective

00:05:39: point of view And suddenly you're going into politics...you have to stick your principles with values and show that you can join words & actions.

00:05:53: That's not easy!

00:05:54: So it is learning process.

00:05:55: but I think at this time The fact that I was so young.

00:06:01: I was only thirty years old, being elected in the European Parliament... ...I was really one of the youngest members of the European parliament and i will always remember this moment when uh.. One-one of people who is keeping door to enter into the plenary session asked me you are the assistant of whom?

00:06:20: And

00:06:20: he said no!

00:06:21: And

00:06:22: I answered myself I'm the member of the European Parliament, so you can see.

00:06:28: But at the same time this age is an age where... You don't think about the consequences?

00:06:37: What?

00:06:37: ...you want to be in action and show that you have ideas how to realise them or work with other people who are a part of a team proposing and initiating things.

00:06:50: That was great!

00:06:51: You were passionate.

00:06:52: There's an unique passion inside of you.

00:06:56: Absolutely.

00:06:57: And I think that you can't be successful in these public spheres of politics, diplomacy.

00:07:05: if don't like people You need genuinely to love and want really do things with them.

00:07:14: That's how i discovered all this amazing topics and was so grateful at the same time because from experience not only open myself Europe, but also from Europe to the world.

00:07:29: That's how I discovered African continent and that was great!

00:07:36: And it is something you have or not inside of you?

00:07:41: But if you don't get an opportunity show your ability after being concrete with content these ideas It's quite difficult.

00:07:52: So I'm very grateful that they had this opportunity and get.

00:07:56: that was also the time when i discovered The issue of women And gender balance because?

00:08:03: I want to say That, I arrived in the european parliament.

00:08:07: yes To be honest like I didn't understand why They have a committee Of equality between men and women.

00:08:15: I am coming from Bulgaria In belgaria.

00:08:19: Maybe that's one of the heritage we have from previous regime.

00:08:24: No-one will say to a girl, you can't be engineer or mathematician.

00:08:31: there is this mentality women and men are equal.

00:08:36: they can do same job with it based on merit.

00:08:41: It depends upon your quality and effort.

00:08:45: But arriving in the European Parliament, I'm discovering that there is a special committee on these questions.

00:08:52: Nothing on you, Mary?

00:08:52: Yeah!

00:08:53: And

00:08:53: then...I will always remember….

00:08:55: …I had conversation with colleague of mine from France She was not apparently at my age and they asked me why do we have this Committee?

00:09:06: Why are you here in this Committee?

00:09:08: And she told me Maria you'll see for years That it's very much needed And we should always put an additional effort to keep women's topic on the top of their agenda.

00:09:22: Wow!

00:09:22: That is experience, that is maturity and all these lessons from life are what I learned.

00:09:35: And actually, I became a member of this committee and suddenly discovered another passion.

00:09:41: A whole new world opened?

00:09:41: Absolutely!

00:09:42: It's led you into the whole thing about women raising their voices standing for other nations as well...

00:09:50: What

00:09:50: happened?!

00:09:51: Absolutely because in these committees I suddenly discovered that there is particular challenges in some countries, but we also have common challenges.

00:10:04: When you talk about the representation of women and decision-making positions it's not normal to be well represented.

00:10:12: We are half of population Yes But need much more women leading position.

00:10:17: I will always remember when started work for women on boards Suddenly, we discovered that there is no women in the boards of big companies.

00:10:29: And I will always remember when topic was raised... Someone reacted to the commissioner at that time saying, but because there is not so much women who are qualified and have experience really following the criteria.

00:10:47: And I will always remember it was Viviane Reding, the commissioner of that time.

00:10:52: she came into parliament and sorted out a list with five thousand women actually in Europe ready take these positions But they're NOT in the board!

00:11:01: I will always remember this moment.

00:11:05: That's how suddenly you realize that we need all to join forces, To give much more visibility... Yes!

00:11:13: ...to tell the stories.. ..to inspire , to support and always-always stay mobilized.

00:11:21: And thats what i learned & was really very happy.

00:11:24: You had such an amazing opportunity to do it at a young age as well.

00:11:31: which then brings me to my next question in a moment.

00:11:40: Maria, I want to ask you about your journey... ...in the instance where you've had so many various roles and various important roles in society.

00:11:50: Tell us about those roles and how they have impacted women And empowering more women globally.

00:11:58: Well thank-you for this question actually!

00:12:02: started by saying that I was member of the European Parliament.

00:12:06: Yes, yes!

00:12:06: I was elected three times during all these eight years in life... Eight years?

00:12:13: ...in the European parliament and as a member of Gender Equality Committee.

00:12:18: And also I was awarded Map Of The Year on gender equality.

00:12:22: so it's been a big recognition for me I think that at the same time in the European Parliament, i have seen what's about the legislative work and a direct link with people.

00:12:36: But everything changed when I became European Commissioner because as European Commissioner... Yes!

00:12:41: ...that is executive power if may say so And you've got much more tools to be impactful to initiate

00:12:50: new things.

00:12:50: And

00:12:52: absolutely, and that's not the case in the European Parliament because following the Treaty of The European Union, the European Commission has the monopoly on legislative initiative.

00:13:07: you have definitely this possibility to make much bigger impact.

00:13:11: And of course, for me it was obvious that I want continue work.

00:13:17: more women in different fields and first time I was European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, And i'm very proud that we launched together with a lot of amazing women the digital for her strategy.

00:13:32: Because at that time in two thousand seventeen... In two thousand eighteen no one wanted to talk about this!

00:13:39: I remember..I wanted to change some of the priorities saying listen today.

00:13:44: for me digital skills artificial intelligence fake news disinformation are big the big priorities.

00:13:51: That was not obvious at that time.

00:13:54: I felt some resistance saying, well these topics they are here for the short term...I was convinced and we can see.

00:14:03: eight years later We're in!

00:14:06: So i think it's really very good especially when you talk about digital and women.

00:14:14: Things aren't only positive For sure.

00:14:16: there is a lot of opportunities but also lots of risks.

00:14:20: Let's think about the reproduction of some of the stereotypes, because the algorithm don't have access to data.

00:14:27: Imagine that in a company for the last thirty years people were only male.

00:14:36: how

00:14:36: new algorithms will know that they need also to look for some female candidates.

00:14:43: And we definitely need to work on all these things, not forget how difficult it is always have this fragile sometimes balance between private and professional life.

00:14:56: so... That was great!

00:14:57: In the second mandate I was European Commissioner of Research Innovation Education Youth & Culture And that was an amazing opportunity because I launched a lot of initiatives for more women in innovation.

00:15:12: Numbers are very alarming, all very alarming... What are they?

00:15:17: Very concrete examples!

00:15:19: Look at what is the venture capital invested in Women.

00:15:22: Let's Startups – two percent Last year decrease one per cent.

00:15:28: So come

00:15:29: on It's actually zero.

00:15:32: Only eight percent of the startups are women-led start ups and on the other side we know that they're much more impact oriented, They have better financial revenues.

00:15:45: Yes Doing amazing things but But We need stronger support, we need more visibility of the success stories.

00:15:55: We need to inspire young girls... To

00:15:58: get out there!

00:15:58: ...to

00:15:58: pursue their career.

00:16:00: because that's for me always the paradox.

00:16:03: We analyzed some data and actually girls between nine and ten ninety percent are interested in innovation or new technologies but only six out of thousands after the university are pursuing a career.

00:16:23: So something happened in between, we need to work on

00:16:28: this.

00:16:29: education programs

00:16:33: mentorship programs also dedicated program for those women-led startups.

00:16:39: So, I was really very proud because they launched an initiative Women in Innovation and now there is a dedicated program with seventy five thousand euros per startup.

00:16:51: so that's what we need.

00:16:53: We need these kind of concrete examples And also the time not to hesitate have any information campaign just to show, and here is coming the important role of media.

00:17:06: To show those stories that not everything is easy but if you stay... If your passion, if you are motivated there's always a solution.

00:17:18: That is so brilliant.

00:17:19: I never knew that numbers were what you just said because then it should make women kind get inspired.

00:17:29: do something about that because we can when we get together.

00:17:33: Absolutely, absolutely.

00:17:35: I fully agree

00:17:36: and We find a way.

00:17:37: i've always found women have the solution somehow And not in an aggressive manner.

00:17:44: it's more of okay.

00:17:45: what Have you got?

00:17:46: What if i Got?

00:17:47: how Can we put It Together?

00:17:48: and i've Always Found maybe You can talk About this

00:17:52: We're happy to start from

00:17:54: nothing.

00:17:56: With what we have in our hands!

00:17:57: It's something that is not scaring us, it's an additional reason of activation because when you are entering into a system which has been here for many years and the network is very well known... It can't be so much in our different creative, but when we are starting from scratch.

00:18:18: You're creating the puzzle?

00:18:20: That's something that I think as women... We have a particular force where suddenly you see how to join pieces of the puzzle

00:18:31: and

00:18:32: at the same time discover for all others it is not anymore the same.

00:18:38: That's

00:18:40: good!

00:18:40: Don't just change the whole puzzle.

00:18:42: Tell me about using your intuition in this, because you've mentioned things and said I feel it.

00:18:53: How big of a role does the intuition play?

00:18:57: It's something very personal but

00:19:00: true

00:19:01: that intuition is something strong they have inside.

00:19:06: Do you

00:19:07: feel physically or

00:19:09: With deals, I tend to believe that it's also coming because i stay empathetic with people.

00:19:15: You have intuition when you keep the empathy.

00:19:21: if you lost somewhere your empathy... ...you will never have a good intuition.

00:19:28: That is

00:19:29: what I can say with empathy and experience

00:19:32: And you see why women are so geared towards social impact because of the empathy and compassion, right?

00:19:39: Which then creates a whole new culture.

00:19:42: Doesn't it?

00:19:43: It brings in new way of experiencing even a nation or community.

00:19:49: when there's empathy

00:19:51: Absolutely.

00:19:52: When you have empathy immediately is coming The public good Doing good Having social impact And all this with very special feeling that everyone is important.

00:20:06: You don't have only one single that is leading, but there's enough place for everyone to join forces as a team.

00:20:15: At the same time what I learned from my experience?

00:20:19: you are good leader if you allow everyone show his own leadership –the best of his personality and after.

00:20:28: You can only share values, principles and have common actions.

00:20:34: but if you allow everyone to show the best of him or herself that's the best way to achieve things.

00:20:41: I've

00:20:42: brilliantly said...I absolutely love that!

00:20:49: We talked about empathy also this intuition And then you talk leadership.

00:20:58: This is how it all weaves together.

00:21:01: What are some of the key factors that you can spot when you see someone who is going to be stepping into leadership.

00:21:09: What are these skills at?

00:21:10: You can pinpoint what other skills we might need in this position as well.

00:21:19: Well, definitely creativity!

00:21:24: Today I cannot anyone pretending to be a leader without being creative.

00:21:32: Because we are living in an extraordinary world, things are moving very fast like never before.

00:21:40: so without creativity it's not possible.

00:21:45: On the other side of course knowledge and experience you can't pretend on position where there is not enough preparation.

00:21:55: And the preparation, it's not always to make studies or just have an experience.

00:22:01: It something that for me like complex of values actions but vision.

00:22:11: So if today someone wants really be a leader creativity knowledge and vision Very important elements.

00:22:24: Knowledge that could be something very personal, knowing people, knowing the position, knowing different logics behind some actions but definitely to have a vision.

00:22:39: and this vision should always be for more public good, more common good.

00:22:45: You can't serve your own vision and be a leader.

00:22:49: it's simply not possible.

00:22:50: you have really to want to do something that is... I must say the best motivation that we could have

00:22:59: A vision bigger than yourself

00:23:01: Absolutely

00:23:02: Which is vital now

00:23:05: in

00:23:06: a world where you said everything is speeding up and people can see straight

00:23:11: through.

00:23:12: It's it!

00:23:12: Can be inspired, too because its very nice always to say I want do things And i'm thinking here about the example of how to inspire much more young girls to being diplomacy for example.

00:23:26: allow me share this example with you.

00:23:29: when was Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime minister in Bulgaria two years ago.

00:23:34: Actually, first I realized that never women ambassadors met the foreign minister separately.

00:23:41: So we initiated this network and of course were only one single meeting with an idea for a new initiative.

00:23:49: We decided to put in place ambassador for today so actually organized competition where invited young girls share their ideas.

00:23:59: what is life as woman ambassador?

00:24:03: And you can't imagine how amazing was this experience because those girls that succeeded, they spent one entire day with a woman ambassador here in Sofia.

00:24:19: Different countries of course always have some wishes And that was good, because on one side we discovered young girls suddenly were inspired.

00:24:30: That's an amazing career they want to pursue in this direction.

00:24:35: but also had other examples people saying after spending a day with the ambassador I know it is not for me I want to do something different.

00:24:48: and that's also good, because in this case you help young people not lose time.

00:24:54: Not serve the ambition of parents or someone else around.

00:24:59: That is these kind of concrete initiatives we need more and more Because here leadership comes.

00:25:06: I always think as foreign minister we need much more women in diplomacy, young girls pursue a career stay motivated but when they have this possibility to live these experiences at the same time.

00:25:21: To help someone like me building bridges between those two worlds.

00:25:27: That's what we need and for me a leader is this person that is helping communities to work together, To understand each other...to have respect For the experience The vision And life of the other person..and thats something We don't so much in our times.

00:25:45: What a great initiative.

00:25:47: I would imagine Some of the young girls that would have come in, who'd've come up with so many interesting ideas.

00:25:54: That we probably wouldn't be thought about maybe and they get to also voice their vision or opinion And may get heard as well in some

00:26:06: way Absolutely, and that's exactly what happened.

00:26:10: Does it build confidence in them as well?

00:26:12: This is a thing we need to build more confidence in these young girls... ...to go for areas of their life where maybe they thought oh thats not my industry or I've been told so-and-so you don't go there but were entering

00:26:27: now.

00:26:28: Yeah, and that's what we need.

00:26:30: These kind of experiences where again theory on practice real life and ideas imagination are meeting... That is what we want because in this case you can see there a lot of trajectory starting at the time to be shaped.

00:26:51: It's shaped because they are personalities, different styles.

00:26:55: Because we have girls and women And people that want to invest their efforts Their time, energy in something that is noble That will serve many others.

00:27:07: So thats something really good.

00:27:09: What a wonderful story.

00:27:12: I want to go into the area of creativity, because this is a big passion for you and also in the area innovation.

00:27:19: Because

00:27:19: creativity and innovation work hand-in-hand.

00:27:23: it does create new industries And i think we're seeing that right now with new industry being popping up everywhere.

00:27:34: How do those things work?

00:27:36: In the sense where are our digital world still operating from this creative human side, but we're merging.

00:27:46: Can you

00:27:47: go a little bit in there with women and creativity and digital?

00:27:52: Of course.

00:27:53: well I must say that here our limits are also the limits of the European Union.

00:27:58: why am saying that?

00:28:00: because it's true that every single member of the EU is very proud of the cultural and creative sectors and industries.

00:28:07: By the way, I really think that there is a lot of potential to unlock.

00:28:13: Because when we think only about the cultural and creative sectors in industries here in Europe... ...there are not so many people who know they're creating more jobs than the automotive sector or the automobile sector And it's nearly four point three percent of the brutal revenue.

00:28:36: So, it's twelve million jobs.

00:28:40: And today our member states are keeping very jealously their competencies.

00:28:47: I believe that more and more we need a common... policy on culture, on creative industries and sectors.

00:28:54: It's good that we have some concrete initiatives like Creative Europe Programme, Horizon Europe Programmes also the recently The New European Bauhaus where sustainability creativity cultural education can really work together in creating synergies.

00:29:10: but We need much stronger support.

00:29:13: I think That everywhere not only in Europe every over Culture is something unique.

00:29:21: Culture really, it's a sense of belonging to community where you can share histories but also create common future and have joint actions.

00:29:36: at the same time show your particular diversity motivational.

00:29:43: I don't know, i even dont how to explain because of course we are very proud culture it's our DNA that.

00:29:51: so and thats why we need really to protect.

00:29:54: but we need much stronger support from From the top I must say because on-the-ground you have an amazing communities.

00:30:04: They are all vibrant, they're dynamic and innovative.

00:30:08: But what we need is support from a very high institutional level And when we look at the ground to.

00:30:16: what i would like particularly to see is to connect the different local innovation ecosystems.

00:30:22: Because everywhere, in every single country even inside one country we have many local vibrant innovation ecosystem.

00:30:31: they are not connected with each other and I think that

00:30:34: this very

00:30:36: powerful Tool that we are not using because when you create connections, of course That common ideas come on projects Common initiatives are coming after.

00:30:48: That's what we need and I think that that's one of the main challenges today.

00:30:53: it really took connect by creativity and innovative approaches The different ecosystem that our locally flourishing but we needs to connect them with others in order to show much bigger importance

00:31:12: of

00:31:12: this topic.

00:31:13: And even bridging other countries, and culturally how diverse we are but... In the end We all in some way Are one.

00:31:24: But With these amazing differences Creativity Explores that it takes you into another dimension obviously.

00:31:34: And we have that opportunity now with digital ways of doing things, isn't?

00:31:40: It would have to be... Yeah!

00:31:41: That's definitely an opportunity.

00:31:43: which should see is because thanks the new technologies so can connect much easily and easier each other even have new initiatives that there is no importance from where you are doing it, the important thing to be a part of our team and work together.

00:32:02: Exactly!

00:32:02: That's what we should continue to explore because I'm sure they're many opportunities... We already have people who are completely aware these opportunities here.

00:32:14: but also we need to think about young generation.

00:32:20: Today's young people are not interested in traditional and classical things.

00:32:25: Let us be very honest, we need to change the narrative... We need a way of working with them!

00:32:36: We have an entirely new generation that is concrete but also knows precisely what they want for themselves as quality-of life as a way of life.

00:32:51: It's so true

00:32:52: and I never thought like that, you know?

00:32:53: Then i didn't think about my quality in life!

00:32:54: That was

00:32:55: also my case.

00:32:56: but now...I see on your generation You do have

00:33:00: these conversations with them Yes And they can have completely

00:33:01: different vision from the world and to other next steps In their world.

00:33:07: So thats why As soon as possible we establish good connection With them..as soon as it is possible We listen too.

00:33:15: They will have more chances To be listened.

00:33:18: I so agree with you and this is why we can also go into the era of education.

00:33:24: And being a part of these new way, like value life it's interesting because here speak to some teenagers.

00:33:32: they're talking well.

00:33:33: i never spoke like that.

00:33:36: They think from different level Because exposure social media having more access information Encyclopedia Britannica, that was it.

00:33:50: And I cried for my parents to buy me the lever-bound books and all i would do is read them.

00:33:56: but wow!

00:33:57: All this information...and now look at what

00:34:03: they have.

00:34:03: access too right?

00:34:05: So its time maybe bring new initiatives after school programs or within you know education system of how Young women can work with other nations and cultures.

00:34:21: And see what

00:34:21: they come up new ideas.

00:34:26: We are also very lucky in Europe that we have for our young people.

00:34:31: a brilliant example is the Erasmus Plus program.

00:34:35: Yes, let

00:34:36: me share something.

00:34:38: two years, one year ago again that was did an analysis asking European citizens what are for you the three main achievements of the European Union.

00:34:49: Always Erasmus plus

00:34:51: is

00:34:52: a one.

00:34:52: those concrete initiatives because we have program where young people from kindergarten to adults they can share They can travel, they work together.

00:35:06: And that's something we need again with bigger support to expand and give accessibility for all those who are needed.

00:35:17: because today young people have a lot of access information.

00:35:22: but if after this information on social media don't experience real Really on the ground, what is this information with reality and how via my contacts or friends that I meet can assimilate these informations.

00:35:42: We have some risks that social media in reality it's not exactly... That's happening on the ground.

00:35:51: And that is why we are very, very lucky We have this program.

00:35:55: It´s great with a lot of chances for young people But I will always ask more support and more young people to get access to it.

00:36:04: An expansion!

00:36:06: Because Europe is so big

00:36:09: Right?

00:36:09: We can

00:36:09: expand even greater.

00:36:12: Think about next generation kids who are even younger, obviously just evening kindergarten.

00:36:19: their brains must be wired so differently to what.

00:36:24: I'm also very much in favor of the enlargement of the European Union.

00:36:28: And i also think that Europe should definitely stay open to the world in order to expand because expansion from our european point-of view it's not something aggressive and brutal.

00:36:41: it's dialogue, its culture.

00:36:44: It is building bridges and creating synergies giving opportunities that what we need.

00:36:50: That why I think also really highly time for Europe to position itself as a power of dialog as a power of creativity.

00:37:02: It's something that seems quite disturbing because today when we hear the word power, We start... Oh!

00:37:10: What does

00:37:10: it mean?

00:37:11: No I think Europe has this capacity Because we are living in disturbant times to define as power.

00:37:20: That is positive.

00:37:23: Creating bridges Helping the dialogue of mutual understanding happening.

00:37:29: That's what we need and We have all the strengths in our hands.

00:37:33: Yeah, I very much believe that as always during the European construction Every crisis was a time for opportunity.

00:37:43: Immediately after a crisis, the European Union always achieved something that was not possible before.

00:37:50: So I also believe today Europe preserved this capacity to reinvent itself

00:37:57: and resurrect it...

00:37:58: And at the same time really use challenges as an opportunity for building, creating and innovating.

00:38:05: Absolutely agree with you!

00:38:07: Thank You so much for your time and so much wonderful insight.

00:38:12: And it's got me,

00:38:14: who knows what we were not doing?

00:38:17: but Her Voice Impacts is all about like you just said that dialogue which to be the story of soul bringing creativity innovation together seeing more women in these positions We call it positive power.

00:38:33: And that's also the cultural diplomacy.

00:38:36: More than ever we need cultural diplomacy everywhere in Europe, I'm very proud!

00:38:42: I was the first foreign minister of Bulgaria putting cultural diplomacy as one of the main priorities of the country... ...I firmly believe with cultural diplomacy we can definitely answer to challenges from the actual difficult world In a positive way encouraging, supporting people away and also beneficial for the humanity.

00:39:10: You've said it all!

00:39:12: Thank you so much!

00:39:20: We had a very intense conversation with my guest today

00:39:23: And

00:39:24: I pinpointed something that i have heard through various interviews.

00:39:29: same thing is keeping vision alive always being creative with that vision.

00:39:39: What does it actually mean for you when your thinking about, well what's my vision?

00:39:45: Well first and foremost the vision is something bigger than YOU!

00:39:53: Bigger then what you could possibly even accomplish.

00:39:59: This is done

00:40:00: through

00:40:01: tapping into authentic voice

00:40:04: Your

00:40:04: truth and your sound.

00:40:08: The beauty of all these interviews, I don't call them interviews anymore because they're kind like just having a conversation with amazing inspirational women is that you keep talking about empathy...having empathy & compassion which creates this social impact then brings out all the creative gifts which bring vision.

00:40:32: but thats done through collaboration.

00:40:35: Who can you connect with?

00:40:37: who Can You be a part of?

00:40:39: something and network where the vision becomes alive?

00:40:45: Your

00:40:45: authenticity your culture, your story.

00:40:48: Your heritage Where you grew up The things that do experience the places you've been to is all Part Of That Vision.

00:40:57: never forget that what you

00:40:59: have been through

00:41:00: Is actually part of your outcome.

00:41:03: It just doesn't disappear, it comes with you.

00:41:07: Those experiences live with you which then inspire other people.

00:41:12: Think about this.

00:41:14: Creativity is

00:41:16: your

00:41:16: anchor.

00:41:18: Your authenticity Is actually

00:41:21: your

00:41:22: compass.

00:41:23: This how you navigate the world Through your authenticity.

00:41:28: Meet people have those conversations.

00:41:31: Network, collaborate do whatever you can that creates this kind of a seed That starts to grow which then becomes a vision that you can see into.

00:41:42: and Then suddenly your intuition tells you take that step out there.

00:41:47: Do this be their talk to that person.

00:41:50: Take the confidence.

00:41:52: my biggest takeaway from all these Wonderful conversations has been that you have been uniquely made.

00:42:03: You have been, uniquely created for something

00:42:08: only you can do.

00:42:10: and now everyone is saying there's no shortage of opportunity.

00:42:17: it just so you take action.