Georgia: State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Tea Akhvlediani opened a cultural-educational seminar on issues of European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Georgia, which is being implemented in joint partnership with the NATO and EU Information Center.
Tea Akhvlediani addressed the participants and teachers of the seminar from the regions of Samtskhe-Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli and Kakheti, which are densely populated by ethnic minorities. The State Minister spoke about one of the main priorities of the state policy on civic equality and integration – informing and raising the awareness of the population of the regions densely populated by ethnic minorities, including the prospects of Georgia’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration.Â
She also noted that fellow citizens, regardless of ethnicity and despite the barrier, which is largely related to the barrier of knowledge of the existing state language, should be properly informed about important issues for each citizen and country, including benefits from the European and Euro-Atlantic integration process.
“It is of special importance for our citizens, especially the representatives of ethnic minorities, who still face the barrier of knowledge of the state language, to conduct such cultural-educational information campaigns on issues that are relevant to them and, in general, important for the country. At today’s event, which aims to raise awareness of European and Euro-Atlantic integration issues, we invited teachers from densely populated ethnic minority regions, who have a very special role to play in providing accurate, objective public information to the younger generation, students or parents” – said State Minister Tea Akhvlediani.
Tamara Tsuleiskir, Director of the Information Center on NATO and the European Union, also addressed the participants of the seminar. As he explained, teachers are one of the most critical target audiences for the NATO and EU Information Center, as their role is crucial in shaping public opinion and especially informing the younger generation.
30 teachers are participating in the first stage of the two-day seminar. Cultural-educational seminars include meetings with representatives of various government agencies, community experts and international partners. As part of the event, participants will visit the Museum of Occupation.
The United States Department of State supports the cycle of cultural-educational seminars. Workshop participants will be awarded certificates.
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