Local Self-Government, Upcoming Local Elections and IDPs – accountability, responsibility and participation Within the framework of the project “IDP Public Debates” the Heinrich Boell Foundation organized the series of public discussions for the community of IDPs in Gori, Tskaltubo and Zugdidi. The topic of discussions for all three debates was: “Local Self-Government, Upcoming Local Elections and IDPs – accountability, responsibility and participation”.
Challenges for Tourism in Kakheti Luscious green fields, rolling hills, deep valleys, countless vineyards, national parks and blue rivers against a backdrop of the Caucasian mountains – the Kakheti region of Georgia, known for its monasteries, landmarks, artists, and excellent vines and meat dishes among others, has always been a tourist attraction during Soviet and post-Soviet times alike.
Batumi Then and Now It is quite difficult to find a city in Georgia, or anywhere else in the South Caucasus for that matter, that is changing its image as fast as the city of Batumi. The rehabilitation project of Old Batumi and new hotels being built in the city are just a few examples of large-scale projects currently underway in Batumi.
The Academic Community in Contemporary Azerbaijan. Academic Structures and Independent Research NGOs: Challenges and Prospects for Cooperation Contemporary Azerbaijan is a largely oil based economy, which has been able to benefit from continual high world oil prices over the past years. Despite the double digit growth rates, which the country was able to maintain until recently, the development of human capital and with it the advance of science and research remains in a backward stage. By Ulrike Graalfs
Constitutional Changes: Expectations, Challenges and Perspectives Georgia has amended its constitution more than ninety times since it was adopted in 1995. The frequency of alterations implies that the constitution currently neither corresponds to the needs of a transforming and modernizing Georgian state, nor to the demands and expectations of its people.
Regional Media in Adjara. Chance and Limit for the Democratic Development of the Region What is that the media in Adjara can do to support the democratic development process in the country and is there any possibility for the media to act as the controlling mechanism of the government in the region – these were the main issues discussed during the debates organized in Batumi on December 16th by the Heinrich Boell Foundation.
Homophobia: from private to public space Eka Agdgomelashvili – Women’s Initiative Supporting Group;Paata Sabelashvili – Inclusive Foundation;Nodar Sarjveladze – Psychologist, The head of the Christian-Democratic Institute. Facilitation: Nino Danelia
1989-2009: Transformation of the Society and the State – from National Movement to Civil Protest Speakers of the debate expressed their own opinions on the following topics – realization of the events taking place in 1989-2009, searching for errors being made, public and state transformation, considering the experience of the past and finding the way out of the political crisis in the country.
Modernisation Project in Georgia Zaal Andronikashvili – Research Fellow, Center of Literature and Culture, Berlin;Eka Aghdgomelashvili – Gender Specialist/"Inclusive" FoundationGiga Zedania – I. Chavchavadze State University Moderation: Giorgi Gvakharia
Political Alternative: Strategy of the Referendum? Gia Nodia – Political Scientist;David Usupashvili – Chairman of Republican Party of Georgia Moderation: Giorgi Gvakharia