‘Greening’ Politics and Economics in the South Caucasus

Информация на русском языке

The South Caucasus Regional Office of the Heinrich Boell Foundation announces a call for participation in the Green Academy 2016  ‘Greening’ Politics and Economics in the South Caucasus (23-29 July, 2016, Batumi, Georgia).

The brief Green revival of social and political activism in the early 1980’s, throughout the South Caucasus, faded away due to the deep economic and political crisis in the 1990’s. Nowadays, societies in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia lack almost all awareness of the benefits of a Green transformation, while many still perceive Green politics as an amalgam of fragmented and unrelated interest groups. Who is united in Green Politics? (And why?) What are the intersections between urban development, gender, ecology, and economics? These are some of the guiding questions of this year’s Green Academy.

The Green Academy aims to:

  • Facilitate deliberation of political, social, economic and ecologic issues in the South Caucasus, within the framework of Green political values and ideas.
  • Develop a regional platform of cooperation for young activists, journalists, scholars, and politicians on issues related to sustainable development policies.
  • Stimulate public discussions around Green principles and values in the South Caucasus.
  • Establish a platform for the elaboration of innovative public policy visions and approaches in the region, based on sustainable development principles.
  • Empower local actors with research supported policy approaches and foster the development of regional expertise through cooperation with international stakeholders.

This year, the programme will focus on the following thematic frameworks:

- Green Economy and Politics;

- Gender and Economic Development;

- Urban Economies and Gender.

Participants will be able to focus on each of these areas based on daily sessions. They will be invited to investigate how social and economic relationships in the South Caucasus can be developed for ensuring sustainable and equitable development.

The Green Academy will offer a varied and exciting agenda, which will feature keynote lectures by prominent regional and international scholars and activists, as well as practical, skills-oriented workshops, and innovative field research opportunities.

Selection Criteria:

Citizens of the South Caucasus nations (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan), born between 1981 and 1996, hold a university degree, and permanently reside in the region, are eligible to apply. Excellent command of English and/or Russian is required.  Young activists, journalists, scholars, and politicians from the South Caucasus region interested in Green politics and actively involved in civic activism are encouraged to apply for this call.

General guidelines:

  • Applicants do not need to be currently affiliated with any institution.
  • The deadline for applications is 12 June, 2016, 8:00 p.m.

Application package should include the following documents:

  1. An application form, which includes instructions for a brief essay.
  2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

All documents must be submitted in English and e-mailed to info@ge.boell.org

Please note Green Academy 2016 in the subject line of your email.

Heinrich Boell Foundation South Caucasus Regional Office
38, Zovreti St., Tbilisi 0160, Georgia

www.ge.boell.org