Call for participation in the Online Green Academy 2020 "State and Society in times of Coronavirus"

About 2020 Program

Considering the special conditions we have all over the world with COVID-19, Green Academy is the best platform to start critical reflections on the political and socio-economic consequences of the Coronavirus in the South Caucasus region. As during all previous years, Green Academy will unite critical analysis of the most important discussions around the topic, and together with well-established pool of experts, social and political thinkers will brainstorm socially and ecologically sustainable responses to the upcoming economic and social challenges in the countries.

Coronavirus has intensified discussions on the critical social-economic problems, be it healthcare system, labor issues, housing, public space etc. and revealed the importance to rethink the role of state and collective actions to address those problems.

In Georgia and Armenia, the most vulnerable groups have never been so visible as they are now: 1. Homeless people or those facing homelessness due to indebtedness and evictions; 2. People employed in the service sector without any regulations; 3. Labor migrants whose remittances have been saving thousands of households from poverty since the collapse of the Soviet Union; 4. Care work (both paid and unpaid) that appeared to play crucial role during the pandemic; 5. Small businesses and enterprises including those in tourism, which has been the main economic development direction of Georgian government for recent years, 6. as well as women victims of domestic violence and members of the LGBTQI community.

In parallel to that, current discussions what should be the economic policy of the government after the crisis in order to regain minimal economic growth, leaves room for fundamental reflections and the challenge of the mainstream debates. The government of Georgia makes statements about more aggressive economic growth and highlights the importance of the most controversial infrastructure projects in various regions of Georgia that have been protested for a long time by the locals due to the negative social and environmental effects. Same approach will affect the cities, where despite the renewed civil movements against some private projects, the municipalities are making decisions in favor of the private developers rather than the actual needs of the city and those who are living there.

The mentioned problems are equally relevant for Armenia as well. The government predicted decline of the economic growth rate, that the country achieved in 2019. The shock hit export based industries, imports and foreign direct investments, but the impact is less severe compared to tourism and remittances. However, the prime minister stated, that this situation shall not be perceived as a tragedy but as a new opportunity to change Armenia's place in the global economy and for implementing the economic revolution agenda more effectively.

Green Academy 2020 aims to reflect on the global, national and local processes described above through three main thematic pillars:

Most part of Green Academy 2020 will take place in virtual space. However, some portions of it (excursions and workshops) may be realised in physical space if the epidemic situation in the region will allow us to do so.

Selection Criteria:

• Young activists, journalists, scholars, and politicians from Georgia and Armenia interested in Green Politics and actively involved in civic activism are encouraged to apply for this call
• Citizens of Georgia and Armenia, born between 1990 and 2000 and permanently residing in the region, are eligible to apply.
• Good command of English is desired
• Applicants do not need to be currently affiliated with any institution

The deadline for submission of applications has been extended until September 18, 2020.