Switzerland. The researcher of disinformation and memory studies, Nino Gozalishvili, presented her report: “Disinformation and Democracy: Challenges in the Context of Transitional Democracy” for the students of three Georgian universities in the summer school: Territorial Challenges and Opportunities for Multicultural Democracies” which was organized by the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. Within the framework of the “Women's Economic Empowerment” project, participating women completed the training course “How to Start and Develop a Business” which was conducted by qualified trainers of BDO Academy. “As a result of the training course, women learned how to transform an idea into a business plan, financial and tax issues, branding and marketing, sales techniques and more. The project is implemented by Taso Foundation with the support of the UN Women and the Government of Norway”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On June 30, 2022, a webinar was held as part of “DRIVE: Digital Research and Impact for Vulnerable E-citizens”, a joint project of the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) and the eGovernance Academy (eGA). The training was based on the report on digital vulnerability published in May, intended for civil society organizations. It covered the stages of civic engagement, tools for collaboration between stakeholders, and effective communication issues. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Imerti. On June 24-25, 2022, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), with the support of the Open Society Foundation (OSF), held a two-day workshop with teachers from schools in the Imereti region, namely the cities of Kutaisi, Tkibuli, Vani, Samtredia, and Zestaponi. The purpose of the meeting was to identify challenges facing the Georgian education system in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to discuss the needs and challenges of vulnerable groups during the pandemic. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Regions. From May 24 to June 13, 2022, the Public Defender’s Office held meetings with schoolchildren living in different regions of Georgia. The aim of the project was to raise children’s awareness of their rights and the mandate of the Public Defender, as well as to provide information about their rights in their relations with the police. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Over 30 young climate activists, aged 13 to 16 years, learn about climate change, networking and leadership in the Green Camp #ClimateAmbassadors. The Green Camp is organized by UNDP Georgia and the Environmental Information and Education Centre of Georgia’s Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture. It’s part of a nationwide climate programme supported by the Green Climate Fund and the governments of Georgia, Sweden and Switzerland. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. USAID/Georgia Mission Director, Peter Wiebler, handed certificates and Biblus vouchers to the three winner students/teams of a nationwide competition organized as part of the USAID Civic Education Raising Awareness Campaign “Learn To Make A Difference”. “The competition invited young people to develop ideas for how to make civic education more interesting and fun for all, both teachers and students. Winning ideas included approaches to student self-governance, media literacy, and choosing a career. Here are the winners: Lizi Dugladze (Rustavi public school #13); Mariam Natsvlishvili (Kutaisi school “Progress”,); Nia Tavdishvili, Ekaterine Sandukhadze, and Nikoloz Iremadze (Tbilisi public school #221.)”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On June 15, 2022, Public Defender Nino Lomjaria met with the chancellor, administration and students of the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, who have been holding protests for a month now. Students have several demands, including the right to take exams remotely and the availability of dormitories. Nino Lomjaria stressed that students do not ask for benefits in exams. They ask for assistance due to their social status, so that the studies and examinations could be adapted to their difficult socio-economic conditions, especially since thousands of them have their status suspended just because they failed to pay their tuition. At the meeting with the university chancellor, the Public Defender spoke about the importance of dialogue with students, stressed the need to adapt university policy to the student's needs and expressed readiness for mediation between the opposing parties. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. Please follow the link to see a lecture by Dr. Rondeli where he discusses Russian efforts to retain influence on the Caucasus and attempts to prevent countries of the region from joining European and Euro-Atlantic structures. The lecture was held in 2013 at the Center of Eurasian, Russian and East European studies at Georgetown University. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Adjara. UNICEF would like to introduce you to 4-year-old Adem. He lives in the village of Kvatia, Khulo Municipality and walks in the kindergarten of this village. “Kvatia Kindergarten is a successful example of inclusive preschool education - the municipality and kindergarten staff strongly supported Adem to enable him to attend the kindergarten and get maximum involvement in kindergarten activities. With the help of UNICEF, educators have been trained to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to involve Adem in the educational process. UNICEF Representative Ghassan Khalil, visited the kindergarten in the village of Kvatia and got acquainted with Adem, his caregivers and friends”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Imereti. Organized by Local Democracy Agency Georgia (LDA Georgia), Mr. Beso Sulaberidze, representative of the Center for Training and Consultancy (CTC), conducted a two-day training  on strategy formulation and action plan development for newly established organizations. The training was conducted  within the framework of the project “Civil Society Initiative,” with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. On June 2-3, UNICEF in partnership with the Georgian Center for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT) and with the support of European Union in Georgia, held a working meeting with the participation of prosecutors, mediators, social workers and psychologists involved in the diversion and mediation program, based in Tbilisi. The purpose of the workshops is to identify problems and current issues at the local level and to strengthen communication and coordination between different professionals. Read more… Source: the organization’s page on the social network

Adjara. According to the information of the UNICEF, the first International Conference on Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), organized in Batumi on 2-3 June, aims to facilitate academic discussion and knowledge sharing on quality, access, and inclusion in early childhood education and care considering local and international practices. Find out more… Source: www.unicef.org

Imereti. Within the framework of the project "Civil Society Initiative", LDA Georgia conducted training on the importance, role, stages, methods and specifics of advocacy for the members of CSOs and citizens in the target municipalities.  The trainings are being conducted by LDA Georgia within the framework of the project "Civil Society Initiative," with the support of the European Union and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Read more…  Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Regions. On May 17-20, 2022, the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI) conducted online trainings on Localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the representatives of Keda, Senaki, Oni, and Sagarejo Municipalities and local stakeholders. The trainings were attended by 40 participants, including civil servants of the municipality, representatives of non-governmental organizations, school teachers, and the Youth Advisory Council members. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. UN Women Georgia in partnership with the Administration of the Government of Georgia is conducting capacity development training on victim-centered investigation of sexual harassment in the civil service. “The aim of this training is to strengthen capacities of public servants on effective implementation of internal complaints’ mechanisms on workplace sexual harassment, including on investigating sexual harassment cases with a victim centric approach. During the 2-day training, participants will strengthen capacities on effective operationalization of internal mechanisms on sexual harassment, including on investigation of sexual harassment cases with a victim centric approach, as well as international standards and best practices in the area. The training brings together 18 public servants from different government entities. The training is conducted within the framework of the “Good Governance for Gender Equality in Georgia” (GG4GEG) project generously funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Peace Corps Georgia, with USAID Small Project Assistance funding, holds series of trainings in the regions of Georgia (Borjomi, Kutaisi, Batumi and Tbilisi) throughout May and June. To this training Peace Corps invites students and beneficiaries of partner schools and organizations, namely youth ages 16-22 who are interested in job search, employment or educational opportunities. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samegrelo. With support from USAID, UNICEF and the Media Development Foundation organized a media literacy training titled, “Do Not Get Infected with Misinformation”, that was held in Poti Public School #5 and taught young people how to identify misinformation about COVID-19, as well as disseminate knowledge about what they learned among their peers. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Imereti. UNICEF and Kant's Academy continue the project "Act for Health", which is supported by USAID Georgia. Meetings with young people on modern understanding and importance of a healthy lifestyle and personal hygiene are being held in 5 regions of Georgia. This time the meeting was held in Chiatura, and was attended by 35 participants.  Similar trainings are planned within the project in Gori, Akhmeta, Marneuli and Akhaltsikhe municipalities. Up to 150 participants will attend the trainings. Learn more… Source: www.unicef.org

Tbilisi. U.S. Embassy in Georgia Congratulates to Fulbright Graduate Student Program finalists: Goga Katalandze, Giorgi Gvasalia, Giorgi Revishvili, Ana Mikadze, Tea Natelauri, Mariam Latsabidze, Ana Sarukhanov, Salome Bakhsolian, and Natia Kantaria. These nine students will travel to the United States this summer to pursue their studies on a full scholarship. Read more…  Source: The U.S. Embassy’s page on the social network

Kakheti. Debates clubs opened up in 20 village schools of Kakheti Region within the project of UNICEF and Georgian Institute for Debate and Education. The project is being implemented with the financial support from Norway. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbillisi. The Social Justice Center is representing Aida Balafkan's legal rights. Aida Balafkan, a British citizen on an academic visit to Georgia on April 26, 2022, was arbitrarily denied entry into the country by the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs. This Ministry decision is another example of allegedly discriminatory and arbitrary border crossing regulations. The decision, among other things, impedes academic interaction and worldwide cooperation in this regard. Read more... Source: socialjustice.ge