Tbilisi. "Radarami" launches the contest "Let's Read and Argue". As part of the contest, loyal readers of books published by "Radarami" have to write their impressions, opinions, analysis, or review of one of 5 books already published by the organization (or on all five if preferred). They have to send their writing to info@radarami.org or to the organization in the social network by January 31 inclusive."Radarami's" staff members will reveal the most interesting 5 reviews through the social network. Top five will be awarded "Radarami"-published books. Further, in case of interest, these persons will be involved in the presentation campaign of new books in various regions of Georgia."We would like to know to what extent are the opinions of the books' authors interesting and relevant to the Georgian readers, and how close are the problems raised by them to the Georgian reality", – says the organization's official page in the social network. For the full text. Source: the organization’s page in the social network.

Adjara. On December20, the association "Independent Journalist House" held the discussion in the Batumi Press Cafe on the "Possibility of enhancing the mechanisms of involvement of the youth in the self-government activities".The discussion was organized by the Caucasian Institute for Democracy and Development (Tbilisi) and the Institute for Social Research (the Hague), as part of the Social Transition Program (MATRA) of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Tbilisi. At Tbilisi public school #51 "New Generation - New Initiative" held hands-on sample event "Election For Students" - which is designed according to curriculum for eastern partnership countries. In total 29 students participated within the program. They have accomplished all the tasks responding theoretical part of the program, they actively worked in groups and presented role game "E-Day" !!! After the lessons, participating teachers and students worked out a number of recommendations, which will be taken into consideration while shaping curriculum. The creation of the designated curriculum is going in the framework of EU funded project "Voters' awareness-raising  in Eastern Partnership countries" and is implemented by the Council of Europe. Project aims elections to be foreseen completely in curriculum, which will soon become a mandatory subject of civic education program. The curriculum formation is done by combined experts from Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Central Election Commission, the Ministry of Education, observation and civic education organizations.

Kakheti. Few days ago NGO "Moli" (fresh rich pasture) held a meeting in Lagodekhi with the local farmers and representatives of the Municipality Gamgeoba.The meeting concerned the project implemented in the Kakheti Region - "Market Opportunities for Improving the Living Conditions".The Deputy Head of the project "Market Opportunities for Improving the Living Conditions" AleksandreGhoghoberidze has presented to the audience the priorities and listened to the opinions of local farmers: "We discussed a lot at the meeting and the topics of pastures, veterinary and mechanization proved to be most pressing. Farmers have also talked about the land ownership protection mechanisms and the gaps of the Georgian legislation in respect of the fining sanctions.""Moli" will continue holding meetings in the Kakheti Region.

Kakheti. The organization "Research Laboratory of Soviet Past” has held the exhibition in the foyer of the Telavi Theatre, dedicated to the repressed women of the Soviet Union period.The project "Topography of the Red Terror”, within the framework of which the exhibition was organized, was funded by the German Association of Public Universities.According to the researcher of the Research Laboratory of Soviet Past Irakli Khvadagiani, the exhibition is built on the stories of the repressed women, which were unknown to wide public over years: "A book was published as a result of implementing the project, titled "Lost Story – Memories of Repressed Women”, which is accompanied with a film. In addition, the exhibition offers other materials as well, which based on their format were not included in the book or the film. In fact, the majority of facts presented here is published for the first time. All of this was preserved in the Georgian families or archives, as prohibited memoirs.”

Samegrelo. Zugdidi-based NGO "Tanaziari” has presented the "Human Safety Project” on December 20. The project is funded by the Japanese Government.Acting Japanese Ambassador to Georgia, Hiroki Tokunaga has visited Zugdidi for presenting the project. "Seven types of medical equipment were presented to the Zugdidi Medical Center. I am glad that the local population will be able to use the quality medical services. As part of the first project, we have assisted to renovate the exhibition hall of the Dadianebi Palace”, - Hiroki Tokunaga said.Head of the organization "Tanaziari” Khatuna Bechvaia has thanked the Japanese Embassy. According to her, as part of the project, throughout 1 year the persons with disabilities and families with many children will benefit from the Medical Center services free of charge.

Tbilisi. On December20, the last day for submitting the applications on the vacant position of the General Director of Public Broadcaster, four CSOs have released a statement. The joint statement of Transparency International – Georgia, Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, ISFED and Article 42 of Constitution states: "To ensure the transparency of and public trust towards the process of selection of the Director of Public Broadcaster, we address the Supervisory Board of Public Broadcaster to support the transparency of the process and allow the civil society representatives to attend the interviews.” The Statement. Source: isfed.ge

Imereti. As part of the study tour, the members of the Kutaisi Youth Center have visited the Georgian National Energy and Water Regulatory Commission on December 20. The youngsters got familiar with the work and specifics of the Georgian National Energy and Water Regulatory Commission. They had the opportunity to learn from the management of GNERC the issues of regulation of the power, gas and water supply sectors, as well as to ask relevant questions.The study tour was organized as part of the "Advancing National Integration in Georgia” (ANI) project, which is implemented by the United Nations Association of Georgia (UNAG), with the support of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).Source: the organization's page in the social network.

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association echoes the information disseminated on December 19 and addresses the law-enforcement agencies to immediately launch investigation in connection with the circumstances described in the report of the judge’s assistant.According to the information disseminated on December 19, the representative of special service was exerting pressure on the judge’s assistant for obtaining various types of information from the court and making her to agree to cooperate with the special services.The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association believes that "in this case, the elements of crime foreseen under the Criminal Code may have taken place, and urges the law-enforcement agencies to immediately launch investigation in connection with the circumstances described in the report of the judge’s assistant.GYLA notes as well that the independence of courts is safeguarded by the supreme law of Georgia – the Constitution, and exercising any type of influence through such methods on the independence of justice is unacceptable.” Source: gyla.ge

Kakheti. The "Community Development Center”, in partnership with the Polish NGO B4, has implemented the project in Kakheti "Business for the Start”.Trainings were delivered to 60 semi-finalist women selected through the contest as part of the project. The project aimed to support women in starting up the small entrepreneurship and in self-employment.Business projects were developed at the final stage of the project. 20 women with the best business projects have received small grants in the amount of 3,000 GEL for starting up their own businesses.Tato Khundadze, project coordinator: "As the majority of the grantee beneficiaries are housewives engaged mainly in the household activities, it was rather difficult for them to work during the period of trainings and consultations. Nevertheless, we can say that the project "Business for the Start” has assisted dozens of ladies in overcoming the feeling of hopelessness and helplessness, caused by many years of "family isolation”.

Tbilisi. On December 20, "Transparency International – Georgia” has released a new report – "An Analysis of the Election Campaign Finances”, as part of the project "Transparent and Accountable Political Finances in Georgia”. The report analyzes financial declarations of the pre-election campaign of electoral entities, which received the required number of votes in the 2012 parliamentary elections and entered the legislative body. These entities are "BidzinaIvanishvili – Georgian Dream” and the "United National Movement – More Benefits to People”. The Report – "An Analysis of the Election Campaign Finances” (1 August 2012 – 1 October) Source: transparency.ge  

Tbilisi. On December 20, up to ten NGOs held the rally on the Bridge of Peace with the slogan "No to Political Arrests”. They have echoed the arrests of several persons yesterday, on December 19. NGO representatives have stated that they condemn the recent events in the country. NGOs participating in the rally stated that they found the coalition titled "Public Initiative”, which, according to them, will aim to promote the development of democratic principles in the country. Organizations that will join this coalition are not widely known to public. The organizers intended to distribute the list of these organizations until the end of the day. Source: media.ge

Tbilisi. Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association echoes the working speed of the legislative body in the current week and the access to information. The information published on GYLA’s web page states that Article 49 of the Parliament’s Regulations provides for the guarantees of transparency of the Parliament’s work, which on its hand is a significant mechanism for the timely dissemination of information on the legislative processes and involving the interested parties in this process. The organization believes that the rapid working speed and the lack of transparency of the process were the major flaws of the Parliament of previous calling, which reduced the possibility of the civil society’s involvement in the process. As for the Parliament of a new calling, the statement says that "... in the course of autumn sittings the Parliament of a new calling, apart from individual exceptions, ensured the transparency of the legislative process, reflected in the timely release of information on the time and agenda of the Committees’ work. Yet, in light of the Parliament’s work speed over the last week, the requirements of transparency were violated in most of the cases, thus depriving the interested persons of a possibility to be informed about the Committee works.” For the full text. Source:gyla.ge

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association once again echoes the information disseminated recently by media outlets on the situation within local self-governments. In relation to this issue GYLA held a press conference on December 20. "Following the 2012 parliamentary elections, certain worries are reported concerning the replacement of leading officials of the self-governments (Sakrebulo, Gamgeoba) in the regions. According to the available information, some changes are happening naturally, however, there are cases when the replacements take place against the background of secret or apparent pressure. In addition, there are cases when the newly appointed officials go beyond their official powers, which will obviously have an adverse effect and tense the existing situation", - says the information posted on GYLA's web page. For the full text. Source:gyla.ge

Adjara. On December 19, the Batumi Education, Development and Employment Center has presented the school-based civic clubs in the Batumi Civic Engagement Center, where the schools have presented video materials depicting the work of their civic clubs and informed the attending audience about their future action plans. Main objective of this meeting was to bring the schools, teachers, schoolchildren and the club members closer to each other and share the experience among each other. Along with the club members, the representatives of local CSOs have also attended the meeting.

Samtskhe-Javakheti.On December 18, an education film was shown in the public school of village Arali of the Adigeni Municipality, as part of the project "Advancing National Integration in Georgia", which was followed by the discussion among the participants. The project "Advancing National Integration in Georgia" is implemented by the CSO "Union of Democrat Meskhetians".

Tbilisi. The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association has presented on December 19 the study "Media Business in Georgia". As part of the study, the organization has examined the development trends of the media market. The presentation was attended by the representatives of international and non-governmental organizations, state authorities and media. The study was carried out by the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, with support of the Open Society - Georgia Foundation, within the framework of the coalition project - "Exposing the Cases of Elite Corruption and State Pressure on Business" (partner organizations: Green Alternative, Economic Policy Research Center and Transparency International - Georgia). The Study – "Media Business in Georgia” Source: gyla.ge  

Tbilisi. "Transparency International - Georgia" and journalist Paul Rimple have created a joint work with the above title. As described on the organization's web page, written in the format of a novel, the book tells about the businessmen and companies, which owned or still own significant amount of shares in important sectors such as broadcasting, communications, advertising market, import and distribution of oil, pharmaceutical market and minerals. The book also describes the links of these companies with the representatives of former authorities or persons associated with them. Information in the book covers only the period for 2003-2012. A Georgian version of the book will be uploaded on TI Georgia's web page in the nearest future. At this point, the English soft version of the book For the full text. Source: transparency.ge  

Tbilisi. The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) has founded the European platform of observer organizations together with the NGOs from the EU, Easter Partnership states (EaP), and Russia. The platform aims to support civil observation of elections in the Eastern Partnership states and the Russian Federation and to facilitate the democratic election processes in entire Europe. The platform will develop innovative approaches of fighting the falsification of elections, ensure sharing of experience among member organizations, deliver trainings for the citizens' observer networks in the Eastern Europe and support the informing of the European political structures about the election observation results. The first activities of the platform will focus on supporting the civil observation of elections at the planned 2013 presidential elections in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as the regional elections in the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Source: isfed.ge    

Tbilisi. US Peace Corps and the NGO "Helping Hand" announced about the submission of applications from organizations for participation in the 2nd annual exhibition – "Discover a Volunteer in You". The exhibition will be held on December 22, from 10:00 to 13:00, in the "Tbilisi Marriott" Hotel. "Helping Hand" and the Peace Corps are looking for the NGOs and companies operating in Tbilisi and its outskirts, which would be interested to represent their organizations at the exhibition and attract potential volunteers for their projects. At the exhibition, the youngsters will survey the stands and be informed about their projects, and in case of interest they will register as volunteers in this or that organization. A table will be allocated to each participating organization. The event aims at developing the volunteering culture in the Georgian society and supporting the interested organizations in finding and recruiting the volunteers.

Tbilisi. On December 19, NGO "Radarami" has presented Tony Judt's book "Ill Fares the Land". The event will take place in the "Student Youth National Palace", starting at 18.00. Tony Judt's book is the fifth book of the "Radarami" book series. It is a simultaneous history of the post-war West and an uncompromised polemics on the contemporary political climate and social problems. "Radarami" is a Georgian NGO, which in recent years has started translating and printing the non-fiction literature works in the Georgian language. The books touch pressing topics such as globalization, economy, environmental protection, politics, science, psychology, etc. Each of them is written in a language that does not require professional knowledge of specific issues and is clear for all interested persons. Source: the organization's page in the social network.    

Tbilisi. The Economic Policy Research Center has published a new report titled "Exposing Cases of Elite Corruption and State Pressure on Business". The report was released on December 18. It describes main characteristics of elite corruption, court practice and the specific examples. Non-targeted spending of public funds and the tendencies to abuse official powers by the persons employed in public service are the main signs of elite corruption. Examples similar to elite corruption leader to the state favoritism and internal deals with the individual business representatives. Such deals are attested by the absence of competition in Georgia, unequal treatment of business representatives, as well as the imposition of fines and unequal administration of the court cases, which was exposed during the research at the example of concrete cases. For the full text. The Study. Source:osgf.ge