Youth Dialogue Project
For almost a decade, CR has been helping Georgian and Abkhaz young people to understand their conflict, and debate issues of importance to them and their societies.
Our work initially focused on producing a Discussion pack on the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict (in Russian) developed with local partners and the Berghof Research Center for Constructive Conflict Management. Our focus now is on promoting dialogue between young people.
We support youth discussion clubs in Sukhum/i, Gal/i and Tbilisi where young people discuss the challenges facing their region and talk about what they can do to make a real difference in their societies. Since 2007 we have organized and facilitated five meetings held outside the region for young ‘future leaders’, typically students and recent graduates aged 18-28 who are active members of their own communities.
These meetings aim to give young Georgians and Abkhaz the rare opportunity to jointly analyse their conflict and understand each other’s concerns. A generation is growing up without direct contact with ‘the other side’ and without any understanding of their peers’ perspectives and aspirations. Honest analysis of what solutions may be practicable for both ‘sides’ is essential for drawing up effective strategies for the future.
Some of the visits encompass a ‘study visit’ element, whereby participants are exposed to the workings and perspectives of international institutions or learn lessons from people who have themselves lived through violent conflict.
A European perspective in Brussels
.jpg)
Young Georgians and Abkhaz discuss key issues in Brussels
The focus of the latest meeting of young Georgians and Abkhaz in April 2010, which took place in Brussels, was the interest and potential of ‘Europe’ in addressing the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict.
14 young Georgians and Abkhaz, some of them new to CR’s Youth Dialogue Project, met with representatives of European institutions, NATO and independent experts. They learned about the strategies of international organizations for addressing the conflict and other challenges in the region. For officials and experts, it was a rare opportunity to hear young people’s perspectives on developments in their societies. In facilitated discussion and group work, participants shared their perceptions of EU and NATO and exchanged views on the state of the negotiations process and current Georgian-Abkhaz dialogue initiatives.
The visit was not without its challenges: some participants were discouraged that the ‘European’ agenda does not fit theirs; others struggled hearing about the realities of the situation on the ground on ‘the other side’. Nevertheless, most of the young people agreed that, as one of them put it, “people in Europe and in our societies need to understand that our dialogue process is necessary and meaningful, and that it needs to continue”.
Read the full report of the dialogue/study visit
Learning about compromise in Northern Ireland
Young Georgians and Abkhaz outside Stormont during a visit to Northern Ireland
In October 2009 CR took six young Georgians and Abkhaz to London and Belfast. Meetings in Belfast with community leaders, youth groups and politicians from both sides gave them insights into Northern Ireland peacemaking, and ideas for dealing with their own conflict.
At the end of the visit, all the young people agreed on the need to build societies that respect different cultures and views, and where everyone enjoys equal rights. They concluded that understanding the needs and fears of their opponents is the key to their societies arriving at a compromise that works for everyone and leads to lasting peace and stability.
“In Northern Ireland compromise has become an accepted part of political culture,” said one. “Unfortunately at the moment we are too far from this, but we need to get there in both societies. Otherwise we won’t move forward."
Read the full report of the study visit
