Georgia: A group of rangers from the Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia (APA) have completed an English language course supported by BP Georgia and British Council Georgia.
The course aimed to enhance the rangers’ communication skills with international visitors and improve the quality of service in the protected areas.
The course graduates received their certificates in a ceremony attended by Yuri Nozadze, Deputy Minister of Environment and Agriculture of Georgia, Bakhtiar Aslanbaili, BP Vice President for Communication and Foreign Relations in Caspian Region, Mark Clayton, Ambassador of Great Britain to Georgia, and David Iosebashvili, Chairman of APA.
The rangers work in various territorial administrations of APA, which manages 87 protected areas covering 10% of the country’s territory. The rangers are responsible for safeguarding and conserving these areas’ biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage, and ecosystem services, as well as facilitating ecotourism and community development.
The English language course is part of a broader cooperation between APA and BP Georgia, which was formalized in a memorandum signed in 2022.
The memorandum aims to promote the sustainable development of the system of protected areas in the direction of biodiversity protection, increasing the potential of ecotourism, improving the socio-economic conditions of the population living near protected areas, and supporting the professional development of APA staff.
The British Council Georgia, the UK’s international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities, provided the expertise and resources for the course, which was tailored to the specific needs and interests of the rangers. The course covered environmental issues, wildlife conservation, ecotourism, and intercultural communication.
The rangers expressed their satisfaction and gratitude for the course, which helped them improve their confidence and competence in using English. They also said they learned a lot about the culture and values of the UK and other English-speaking countries and hoped to apply their knowledge and skills in their daily work.
The course organizers and supporters congratulated the rangers on their achievements and praised their dedication and enthusiasm. They also hoped that the course would enhance the management of protected areas and promote Georgia as a destination for nature lovers and eco-tourists.
