Russian-Georgian Youth Forum (archive event)

The purpose of the forum is the development of Russian-Georgian youth cooperation, the strengthening of friendly and professional ties between youth leaders of Georgia and Russia.

The Forum program included expert discussions on issues on the bilateral agenda within the framework of humanitarian cooperation (culture, education, media) as well as meetings with public figures of two countries.

The forum ended a busy working year during which several important bilateral political and cultural events were held. The event served as a kind of signal to deepen and expand work on the youth track as part of the development of relations between Russia and Georgia. According to Merab Chikashvili, the Chairman of the NGO Solidarity for Peace, younger generations will be able to become the main force for solving the accumulated international problems: “Today we are still discussing the problems that our parents and distant ancestors spoke about many times. We are more likely to overcome all the difficulties that are on the agenda between our countries with the participation of young people. I believe in the future at least someone can bring peace to the world, someone is you, youth.” The main goals of the forum declared by the organizers were fulfilled. Representatives of the younger generation got to know each other, exchanged contacts and built the foundation for a future dialogue.

The working days of the forum included active discussions on the topics already mentioned – culture, education and the media. As a result of the discussion it was revealed that our countries have much more in common than we think. This is an important fact in building bilateral relations – the more we have in common, the easier it is for us to find a common language and common topics for discussion. One of these was the topic of gastronomy widely covered by L.V. Gelibterman. It is interesting that many participants visited Russia for the first time and this trip, according to the Georgian participants, left only positive emotions. In this regard, it is possible to develop contacts with the accumulated list of participants.

Participants: The participants of the forum were young specialists in the field of international relations, politics, economics, regional studies, cultural studies, activists of public organizations involved in international activities and issues of public diplomacy, representatives of local and regional self-government bodies, state structures, students and graduate students, journalists from Russia and Georgia. Young people aged 18 to 35 (40 people). Experts in the field of humanitarian cooperation (15 people). In total 55 people participated there.

Key results: The outcome of the work program was the presentation of group projects completed by the participants under the guidance of experienced expert curators.

1. “Tamara’s Bridge” – the information and educational project (the curator of the group is Rusudan Pukhashvili, the independent political scientist in Tbilisi).
2. “Through different eyes” – the creative contest of art postcards (the curator of the group is Nina Gabunia, the co-founder of the NGO “Alliance of Georgian Students and Graduates of Post-Soviet Universities – Kera”, Tbilisi).
3. “LARS” – the educational project for the study of a foreign language (the curator of the group is Giorgi Mdivani, the founder of the portal “Politico”, Tbilisi).