The aim is to contribute to the discourse on values amongst young people, including raising awareness of pluralism, the rule of law and human rights, thus contributing to Georgia’s democratic transformation
The Max Planck Foundation has recently launched a new project in Georgia which will raise awareness among representatives of the younger population for the importance of diversity and pluralism. The project will support the participants to take the initiative themselves and to make their own unique contribution to the formation of a pluralistic democracy and tolerant society.
The population of Georgia is heterogeneous in many respects. This applies to the ethnic as well as religious, socio-economic, and cultural background of various groups. For this reason, the state has taken numerous measures to protect the rights and freedoms of minorities and to ensure their equal participation in public life. In the process of moving towards EU standards, which includes the adoption of the Law on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination in 2014, Georgia prohibits all forms of discrimination, including discrimination based on language, religion, and sexual orientation. However, recent developments show that integration and equal opportunities are not yet fully in place. Tolerance, diversity, and intercultural dialogue need to be further promoted at various levels. The role of the younger generation in this context needs to be strengthened.
The Foundation will organise a series of events in seven regions of Georgia (Ajara/Batumi, Imereti/Kutaisi, Samegrelo/Zugdidi, Samtskhe-Javakheti/Akhaltsikhe, Kakheti/Telavi, Kartli/Gori, Kvemo Kartli/Marneuli) dealing with a range of issues related to the project’s main theme. Furthermore, the project team will introduce the participants to the work of local self-government bodies and other state institutions and facilitate a dialogue between them. The project will conclude with a Youth Forum in Tbilisi.
The project entitled “Young generation for democracy and pluralism” is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office in the context of strengthening cooperation with civil society in the Eastern Partnership Programme.