Richard Thomas – guest at Karin Doms Cafe Societe Club

On 10th May 2012 was held the next meeting from the Karin Dom’s initiation – “Café Societe”.The special guest was Richard Thomas – British Ambassador to Bulgaria for the period of 1989 – 1994. Career diplomat 1961-1998.  Served in Ghana, Togo, Paris/Brussels (UK Delegation, NATO), New Delhi, Prague (Counsellor and Charge d’Affaires), Reykjavik (Ambassador), and the Eastern Caribbean (High Commissioner). Appointed CMG (Companion, Order of St Michael and St George) 1990. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Fellow, Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) 1998-9. Trustee and International Chairman, Leonard Cheshire Disability 1999-2005. Trustee and Chairman, Rye Arts Festival, 2004-10.

Richard Thomas spoke about The Voluntary Sector in the United Kingdom. He said “It is very difficult to win the respect of others if you are not involved in voluntary activities.”

Richard Thomas talked about the ways in which charities raise funds in Britain and underlined: “I am sure you know most of these methods of fundraising, but maybe one or two things I mentioned might give you new ideas .”To a question from the audience: “Do you think that only people with money and free time deal with voluntary activities?” He replied: “In my experience in the UK is just the opposite, people of different ages and different social status are included in charity and voluntary activities.”

The next meeting of Café Societe is Schedule for 28th of June 2012 at Radio Varna’s Art hall at 6pm. The guest is going to be Dr. Christopher Williams from University of Birmingham, UK.

With this initiative Karin Dom Foundation is aiming to bring the public’s attention to charity and to engage more people with the cause of the social inclusion of various vulnerable groups in Bulgaria. Karin Dom Foundation’s initiative discussion club Café Societe is funded by the America for Bulgaria Foundation.