Since 2009 the Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development (CIPDD), Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association and Safeerworld have been implementing a joint program aimed at providing assistance to public at large in four target regions of Georgia (Samegrelo, Shida Kartli, Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti), analyze and plan for issues pertinent to peace, security and stability, as well as promote more constructive discussions between representatives of public at large and decision makers. Various stages of the project have been partly funded by the EU and partly by the UK government’s Global Conflict Prevention Pool. 

 

To reach the foregoing goals, groups of 10-15 people were set up in the four regions of Georgia, manned by individuals with certain experience in conflict-related issues as well as representatives of various fields and professions. Throughout 2009-2011, they underwent trainings for providing consultations, obtaining and analyzing information and deepening their public speech skills. Group members provided consultations for public at large in their respective regions, on challenges related to peace, security and stability. The process also envisaged meetings between representatives of the four target regions to exchange analysis of future prospects and strategies of their respective regions. 

 

Groups set up in 2009-2011 held 6 rounds of consultations with population in 4 target regions. Based on these consultations, four regional and one national strategies were elaborated. These strategies highlight key challenges for each region/for the country, addressing them in terms of their importance for peace, safety and stability, analyzing their impact on national level, exploring underlying causes and offering recommendations for tackling these challenges. 

 

Based on the strategies elaborated, eight “planning for peace together” public discussions were held, allowing representatives of both the government and public to exchange their approaches to key challenges to peace, security and stability in Georgia and plan for measures for effective governance. 

 

Each of these discussions focused on concrete issues that local population deemed the most crucial for their respective region. 

 

Representatives of central and municipal authorities participated in the discussions. We made films about four of the discussions and showed them on local TV channels. 

 

Both series of the public discussions about planning for peace together was concluded by a meeting held in Tbilisi. These meetings were attended by representatives of international and non-governmental organizations, as well as political parties and state agencies. The meetings were opened by the British Ambassador to Georgia, H.E. Judith Gough. Participants discussed the strategy elaborated under the project auspices as well as outcomes of discussions in the regions. 

 

We also produced and published brochure Effects of the August War, who does what and how it reflects on everyday lives of people. The brochure offers an overview of policy and action plans of key players, and their impact on everyday lives of the people concerned. The brochure was distributed in targeted regions and received a positive feedback.