04-06.04.24 – Tbilisi

The opening event of the “Young European Ambassadors” project was held at the Information Center on NATO and EU of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.

State Minister Tea Akhvlediani, Director of the Information Center Tamara Tsuleiskiri, and Representative of the US International Development Agency Tamar Sirbiladze, addressed about 50 young participants from the regions densely populated by ethnic minorities.

Tamara Tsuleiskiri focused on the role of young people in the activities of the Information Center and emphasized the importance of active communication with them. “Young people are one of the significant target audiences for the Information Center on NATO and EU. Informing them about the issues of Western integration, as well as their role in terms of forming public opinion are crucial. Accordingly, they should have access to verified and comprehensive information on the issues of Georgia’s integration into NATO and the European Union”- stated Tamara Tsuleiskiri.

State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, Tea Akhvlediani, highlighted the role of bilingual youth in achieving the goals of the information campaign in those settlements where knowledge of the state language still remains a challenge. The State Minister spoke about the main priorities of the state policy of civil equality and integration, and while emphasizing the raising of the level of knowledge of the state language, she noted the significance of informing and raising the awareness of the population of the regions densely populated by ethnic minorities on the current processes and various issues happening in the country. On the other hand, Tamara Sirbiladze, a representative of the US International Development Agency, spoke about the priority of similar projects and the importance of assistance from the United States of America.

First Deputy State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, Lia Gigauri, introduced the state policy of civil equality and integration to the youth as a mechanism for the development of a harmonious, equal and tolerant society.

The next phase of the project involves holding meetings independently by young people in the regions where they are located and sharing the information received during the course with their peers. In order to effectively conduct the information meetings, within the current preparatory program, the participants will deepen their knowledge in such areas as the issues of Georgia’s integration into NATO and the European Union, the goals of the functioning of the European Union institutions, the role of media literacy in the direction of combating disinformation, and effective presentation and public speaking skills.

The project “Young European Ambassadors” has been implemented since 2017 with the initiative of the Office of the State Minister of Georgia for Reconciliation and Civil Equality, with the co-organization of the Information Center on NATO and EU and the United Nations Association of Georgia, and with the financial support of the US Agency for International Development.