The Max Planck Foundation together with its local project partner, the Civil Council on Defense and Security (CCDS), hosted a series of workshops on “Promoting Pluralism and Media Freedom” in Batumi on July 31 and 1 August.
The workshop sessions, led by Georgian experts, brought together civil activists, local media representatives and representatives of non-governmental organisations. The event served as a platform for fostering inclusivity and mutual understanding through the promotion of dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation. The participants engaged in discussions on the recognition and appreciation of theunique aspects of various cultural, religious, and social identities.
The training started with a brief introductory exercise, followed by a group discussion on identity and the relevance of identity issues to civil integration. Throughout the training, diversity and inclusion-related topics were intensively discussed and participants presented their small group works on civic engagement in promoting pluralism and diversity. The workshopencouraged participants to deconstruct stereotypes that perpetuate discrimination and prejudice. Through open dialogue, a better understanding of the root causes of stereotypes and their impact on marginalised communities was fostered.
The workshop was part of the Foundation’s project in Georgia titled ‘Promoting Pluralism of Opinion and Free Media in Georgia‘, supported by the German Federal Foreign Office as part of the programme ‘Expanding Cooperation with Civil Society in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Russia’.