International Center on Conflict and Negotiation (ICCN) is an independent, peace-making, research and training institution that was founded in 1994 thanks to financial support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the organizational support from the Center for International Security and Arms Control of Stanford University. Read more >>>
Two presidents that came to power under the sign of change meet January 30th. Below are some thoughts elicited by my friend Ambassador K.S. Yalowitz’s letter, writes George Khutsishvili, director of the International Center on Conflict and Negotiation.
We live in the election year 2012, and I belong to those who believe change is needed, and the alternative exists. Yet is the change possible in a country where all branches of power, information and resources are controlled by one power vertical, the ruling team insists it is unchangeable, and the silent majority’s voice is accounted to the administrative majority? Looking back, we see that similar hopes, questions and doubts existed in the election year 2003, but the peaceful revolution happened. What could have dramatically clicked within a few days in a skeptical society’ mind, where everyone was supposed to know everything about anyone else? The turning point that had made November 23 possible was created by the opposition media who demonstrated the effects of (a) virtual critical mass of popular support, and (b) virtual US support for the change. Both supportive factors existed – along with others – but not to an overwhelming extent the media effect forged. However, as the TV bell rang, the words were made flesh, and people believed things somehow had to end as they did.
The project "Media cooperation and peace journalism in the South Caucasus" aims to contribute towards a peace-enabling environment in the societies of the South Caucasus by strengthening the skills and capacities of regional media representatives. To achieve this outcome, we are working with journalists from all regions of the South Caucasus to strengthen networking, cooperation, and information exchange between media professionals and to further build their capacities with regard to peace-oriented and conflict-sensitive journalism.
Present collection of the articles represents a certain outcome of the two-year development of so-called Istanbul Process, an initiative that was started right after the August war of 2008 with support from the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) and aimed at creating a space for facilitated meetings of independent Russian and Georgian experts to discuss various aspects of the current Russia-Georgia crisis and the ways out of it. The meetings are held on neutral soil, in Istanbul, which is why the project is called the Istanbul Process. All the authors of the book belong to the participants of the project meetings.
Not all the aspects of Russian-Georgian problem can possibly be comprised within the frame of one book. It is rather a topic for a broad multi-profile research paper, or even a series of papers, not attempted as yet.
George Khutsishvili
Read full text - "Russia and Georgia: The ways out of the crisis"
On 9 July 2010, Georgian NGO experts gathered at a round table to discuss civil society recommendati
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Survey was prepared and conducted during the period June 2010-June 2011. The field work took place in February-March 2011. 1030 persons were interviewed. The survey covers many aspects of our everyday life: individual values, norms, preferences, attitudes to different social and political institutions, ecology, gender issues.
Hereby block on Politics is presented
Soon will be presented blocks on Religion, Norms, social activism, priorities, gender, ecology etc.
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