What we do on the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict
Checkpoint on the line of separation between Georgia and Abkhazia at the Inguri river
Conciliation Resources has worked on the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict and peace process since 1997, supporting people trying to make positive changes within their societies and across the divide.
At the heart of the conflict is a contest between territorial integrity and self-determination: Georgia seeks to keep Abkhazia within its borders, whereas Abkhazia wants its secession from Georgia internationally recognized.
Since the war in 1992-93 negotiations have swung between dialogue and deadlock, with periods of heightened tension. The brief August 2008 war over South Ossetia involving Georgia and Russia, followed by Russia's recognition of Abkhazia as an independent state, profoundly changed the political landscape. A lasting peace agreement remains elusive.
We work at different levels of Georgian and Abkhaz society with diverse organizations and individuals. These include NGO activists, young people, politicians, journalists, displaced communities and officials. Our work is based on consultation and analysis with partners and key civic and political institutions. We focus on:
- making the peace process more inclusive and tackling the root causes of conflict by developing civil society, encouraging activism and enabling marginalized groups to find a political voice, for example through support to a network of IDPs in Georgia and several NGOs in Abkhazia
- influencing peacemaking strategies through briefings and consultations and by exposing Georgians and Abkhaz to other peace processes
- challenging stereotypes and shifting public opinion about the conflict by supporting Georgian-Abkhaz films and interactive websites such as Eyewitness Studio, where journalists and ordinary people can post videos and debate the issues raised
- broadening horizons by stimulating debate among young Georgians and Abkhaz, doing research on identity and multiculturalism, and providing training opportunities
- creating opportunities for dialogue within communities and across the conflict divide, through organizing the informal Schlaining political dialogue meetings and Youth Dialogue Project
We also work with a group of international and national NGOs on a project addressing the conflict between Armenians and Azerbaijanis over Nagorny Karabakh.
