Tbilisi. Within the framework of the project Enhancing Georgia’s Capacity to Counter Targeted WMD Assassination Attempts GCSD delivered a training on CBRN security to representatives of various media organisations. The training was led by Dr. Mark Michael Blum and over the course of three days it covered a wide range fo topics from  history of nuclear weapons and Nuclear Arms Control Regimes to the types of chemical weapons and assassinations using weapons of mass destruction. The project is implemented with the support of the Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction of the State Department of the United States of America. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Germany. CENN has joined the delegation of Georgia to Germany for the expert exchange visit dedicated to localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals and experience exchange on efforts supporting this process organised by GIZ and German LAG 21. During the visit, the participants got to know the best practice examples in the direction of environmental protection, sustainable tourism, energy efficiency and sustainable economy. In the frameworks of the ongoing “Continued nationalization of SDGs in Georgia” project, supported by GIZ on behalf of the German government, CENN actively works with the SDG Secretariat of Georgia to ensure multi-stakeholder dialogue in the process of implementing SDGs in Georgia. The action envisages empowering different stakeholders and creates a clear space and mechanisms for CSOs to engage in SDG-related planning, monitoring and reporting processes. Read more... Source: The organization’s page on the social network

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Tbilisi. According to the information of the TASO Foundation, in 2020, 149.2 million children under 5 years of age were too short for their age, 45.4 million were too thin for their height. “Indicators of women's empowerment, such as mother's education and employment status, are directly related to child nutrition. Women are the primary caregivers of children in the family, and the dynamics of their involvement in domestic or social life affect the well-being, nutrition and health of family members, especially children”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Kvemo Kartli. CENN, with the financial support of HEKS-EPER, promotes environmental education among young people from Marneuli municipality. With the initiative of the Marneuli Girls’ Empowerment Club, a tree planting activity and an open discussion on economic, social and environmental aspects of green spaces and youth role in creating and conserving green spaces were conducted in two villages of Marneuli municipality: Maradisi and Tsitelsopeli. The tree-planting activity and the open discussion were convened within the “Climate Resilient Agriculture - PRAISE Marneuli” project, which is implemented by CENN with the financial support of HEKS-EPER. Read more… Source: The page of organization on the social network

Tbilisi. The Georgia Red Cross Society gave New Year's gifts to 600 Ukrainian children and teachers of the 41st public school in Tbilisi. The project was started with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, which involves setting up information centers for Ukrainians arriving in Georgia. The center will provide Ukrainian citizens with information about the services available to them in the state, as well as provide psychosocial assistance and, if necessary, provide hygiene items for first use. The project also provides for the provision of spaces adapted to the needs of Ukrainian children and care for them. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. CENN's online #ACT4CLIMATE campaign reached more than half a million people. CENN shares the #ACT4CLIMATE campaign 2022 annual report, which presents the results achieved over the course of one year. “In 2022, CENN launched the online campaign with the aim of raising public awareness concerning environmental issues and encouraging climate action. The campaign urged people to take effective steps to protect the environment and contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change. CENN would like to thank the thousands of people who actively participated in the campaign and helped #ACT4CLIMATE achieve its goals. We hope that even after the end of the campaign you will continue to contribute to climate change mitigation”. Read more… Please see the following link to download the report… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

France. In annual report on the implementation of Association Agreement between Georgia and the European Union approved last week in Strasbourg, the European Parliament raised the issue of weaponization of Soviet totalitarian history by the Russian disinformation in Georgia and backed work of the Soviet Past Research Laboratory. The report raises concern over the emergence of Joseph Stalin’s statues across Georgia that insult memory of millions of victims of Stalinist terror. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

IDFI, with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), held a winter school "Rule of Law and Human Rights" in the period of December 10-15, 2022.    The winter school had 25 participants selected on the basis of a two-stage competition, and its major aim was to raise the awareness of the participants regarding the issues covered by the school’s program, to facilitate holding discussions and exchanging of views on the existing challenges. Within the framework of the winter school, law faculty students and young practitioners, including 3rd  and 4th rank civil servants, had the opportunity to participate in trainings regarding to pressing legal issues, planned by specialists in the relevant field. On December 15, at the closing ceremony of the event, winter school's activities were summarized and the participants were congratulated on the successful completion of the training course by the Head of Rule of Law and Media direction of IDFI – Giorgi Davituri; Head of Development Cooperation/Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Sweden to Georgia - Erik Illes and Professor of International Human Rights Law - Konstantine Korkelia. Read more... Source: idfi.ge  

Tbilisi. The Public Defender’s Office of Georgia echoes the recent statements made during the political debate that allegedly took place in the Parliament of Georgia, as well as the statements made in public, which clearly contradict children’s rights and interests. “We call on everyone, including MPs, to show high responsibility during political discussions, not to allow referring to each other's family members, including minors, in a negative context, and to be the guarantor of the protection of the rights of each child. In addition, we call on the Parliament of Georgia to activate Ethics Council in order to study, monitor and effectively respond to the violations under the Code of Ethics for Members of Parliament”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. On December 16, IDFI with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) held the 4th international conference: The importance of openness of state archives in reevaluating the Soviet past and standing against propaganda. The conference focused on the manipulation of historical narratives, disinformation, preservation of archives in crisis and other important issues, the relevance of which was highlighted by the Russian war in Ukraine. Learn more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. UNICEF held a workshop for Helping Hand volunteers and AIVA • Association of Immunization and Vaccinology MEDiators on “Evidence-Based Leadership Model for Vaccination Champions”. The workshop was led by UNICEF Representative in Georgia, Ghassan Khalil. The trainees were informed about the necessity and importance of having the right values, trust and empathy in the process of leadership and volunteering. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Guria. On December 17, representatives of Taso Foundation visited the projects of the participants of the “Women's Economic Empowerment” program in the villages of Chokhatauri municipality: Buksieti, Bzholieti, Chkhakaura and Chokhatauri. Within the framework of the individual activities envisaged by the project, the women purchased the necessary equipment for their activities, organized work spaces. The project is implemented by Taso Foundation with the support of the United Nations Women's Organization and the Norwegian government. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. The multimedia art exhibition “What makes me human?” is on until 21 December at Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. Supported by European Union in Georgia and UNDP Georgia, this fantastic display of contemporary Georgian art celebrates the deepest aspirations of the human spirit – freedom, dignity, justice and rights Read more… Source: www.undp.org

Tbilisi. Public Defender’s Office publishes a statement on Release of Footage Showing Mikheil Saakashvili in Ward “Notwithstanding the high public interest in the health and rights situation of Mikheil Saakashvili, taking into account the official explanations of the Special Penitentiary Service available at this stage, the Public Defender’s Office considers that the legitimate purpose of the release of the footage, including the satisfaction of the high public interest, or the proportionality or adequacy of that decision, cannot be proved. Even when there is a legitimate purpose, it is important to strike a balance between the public interest and a person's privacy, personal data protection rights, when disclosing health information”, is noted in the statement. Read more… Source: ombudsman.ge

Tbilisi. As Georgia gets ready to adopt its National Human Rights Strategy for 2023-2030, the European Union (EU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) create a space for discussion on ongoing reforms on administrative offences regulatory framework and the effective realisation of economic, social and cultural rights, bringing together decision-makers, civil society, and human rights defenders. The conference “Stand up for Dignity, Freedom and Justice for All” echoes Human Rights Day theme and calls on the Government, Parliament, civil society organizations and communities to work together and seek solutions to the challenges that prevent Georgia’s citizens, especially representatives of the vulnerable communities and minority groups, from fully enjoying their Constitutionally guaranteed rights. Read more… Source: www.eeas.europa.eu

Tbilisi. IDFI held yet another training to support public participation in the oversight activities of the Supreme Council of Ajara. This time training covered Thematic Inquiry and was offered to the representatives of civil society organizations and the staff of the Ajara Supreme Council. The training covered both theoretical and practical aspects of the issue. The participants learned about the significance of the Thematic Inquiry, the process, and stages of its planning and implementation, ways to involve third parties in the process, and in the form in which the responses to the inquiry should be sent. Read more… Source: idfi.ge

Tbilisi. On December 15, in Tbilisi Marriott Hotel, a group of UN agencies, in partnership with the Georgian government and public organizations, held the first national conference on gender equality issues. Conference participants discussed issues such as increasing women's participation in politics, violence against female politicians, ways to eliminate femicide, prevention of sexual violence in peacetime and war, education as a way to overcome gender discrimination, and reforming paid parenthood. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Tbilisi. UNICEF Georgia shares a blogpost: How to discipline your child the smart and healthy way. “There comes a time when every parent struggles with how best to discipline their child. Whether dealing with a screaming toddler or an angry teen, it can be hard to control your temper. No parent wants to find themselves in such a situation and the bottom line is that shouting and physical violence never help. Thankfully, there are other, more effective ways and one of them is positive discipline. We consulted Lucie Cluver, Oxford University professor of Child and Family Social Work and mother of two young boys, to explore how the approach can help parents build positive relationships with their children and teach skills like responsibility, cooperation and self-discipline. Rather than punishment and what not to do, the positive discipline approach puts an emphasis on developing a healthy relationship with your child and setting expectations around behavior”. Read more… Source: www.unicef.org

The web portal CsoGeorgia.org releases a weekly newsletter of grants competition, contests, vacancies, fellowships, and tenders for civil society organizations, and for any interested person. Newsletter...

Tbilisi. UNDP Georgia welcomes and supports the efforts of Georgia's Ministry of Education and Science to introduce a Braille electronic Georgian version and make educational resources more accessible for people with visual impairments. “Inclusive education is a step forward on the path to an equal society”. Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network

Samtskhe-Javakheti. On October 2, in Borjomi, GCSD, within the framework of the project Vaccination4Georgia, organized a training for local media representatives of the Samtskhe-Javakheti region on the topic: “How to identify and address disinformation and promote vaccination”.  The training module envisaged the specifics of the local media working and addressed the main challenges they face in the process of covering topic of vaccination. The training was conducted by Natia Kuprashvili, the head of the Journalism Resource Center. The project “Vaccination4Georgia” is implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with  Georgian Center for Strategy and Development. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Read more… Source: The organization’s page on the social network