Think — Imagine — Act | Workshop for young citizens in Georgia
Andreas Bock
Report from Forum Tbilisi “Future of Citizens — Future of Europe” organized by Stichting Caucasus Foundation on 12th/13th October 2017
According to a recently published report by the Europe Foundation, support for the EU integration process among Georgian citizens continues to be strong, but rests on hopes and expectations rather than on genuine knowledge of what integration really means. To address challenges like this, Stichting Caucasus Foundation (as member of the initiative A Soul for Europe) targeted especially young Georgian citizens to confront them with their imaginations/knowledge about their country and Europe/the EU in a two-day workshop.
The workshop had several goals: a) to make participants aware of their national and their European identity; b) to encourage the participants to imagine a future embedded in European structures as well as outside of them; c) to activate their volition and wishes to become active and engaged citizens of a democratic society. In order to reach these goals, the workshop hosts used highly participative methods that were previously successfully tested in a similar workshop in Wroclaw, Poland in October 2016. (“Think-Dream-Act-Workshop”)
Participants did not only receive an overview of major European topics (i.e. refugee crisis, debt crisis, Brexit, rise of right wing populism) but were also informed about very practical opportunities (i.e. regarding education) within the scope of concrete agreements between the EU and Georgia (i.e. association agreement, visa liberalization). Participants were also introduced to the mission and the activities of A Soul for Europe as a very practical example of how an European wide initiative supports European integration through the means of active citizenship and culture.
Putting Georgia on the map
Among both age groups there was a strong desire to learn more about the European Union and its relations with Georgia and about the initiative A Soul for Europe. They were particular interested in the future of their country and how they themselves could contribute to a positive development. More specifically, there was the hope to put Georgia on the map again — making it more known among Europeans.
The majority of participants demonstrated a strong identification with their country. Georgia was described as a homeland of tradition (King the Builder, wine, food) and a country with a great sense of hospitality. They think of Europe not only in relation to their travel experiences or their participation in Erasmus programs, but also with regard to values they affiliate to the EU (freedom, equality, rule of law). Organization, responsibility and opportunity were also commonly named attributes. Some of the participants mentioned the day of the visa liberalization as their most European moment.
Imagining the future
For the forecasting exercise the students had to imagine their country in 20 years taking into account two different scenarios: a) improving relations with the EU and b) a Union that ceased to exist. Regarding the former, participants expected an improvement of their lives in various aspects (higher quality of education, better social welfare, stronger economy). Moreover, they predicted a more law-abiding society, more gender equality (including a higher number of women in politics) and a stronger focus on human rights. As for the latter, they feared a slow economic progress, less growth, poverty and even a collapse of the economy. There was a concern of the Russian influence getting stronger again and a consequent fear of threats and yet another Russian expansion. Some of them also foresaw a more conservative society, less protection of human rights and concluded that there would be “nothing to strive for.”
How to shape the world
In the concluding acting exercise participants were to describe a) possible political solutions that could encourage a positive future of the country and b) what they can do individually or in a group (as citizens) to make their country a better place. After the exercise the students were to vote for their favourite actions (as citizens and for politicians).
As far as politicians were concerned, most participants clearly demanded that the government should promote the developments of science and education. Also, the wish for more exchange and scholarship programs was highlighted. In addition, many of them called for more (cultural) exchange between cities in Georgia and Europe and for more funding for culture and cultural organizations. Regarding ecology, they imagined a greener city above all. Open parks, more trees and (more) bicycle roads as well as the build-up of an environment friendly public transportation system were among the most mentioned proposals for politicians. On a more general note, participants asked for an active relationship with Europe and the development of the tourism sector.
Most students agreed that it is every citizen’s obligation to be a responsible member of society. Very specifically, they pointed out that individuals have to show responsibility also when it comes to illegal or unacceptable behaviour of fellow citizens (i.e. bullying). The participants had a clear vision of a state/society that could only work properly if citizens obey the law, do not pollute the environment and know their rights. They came up with a wide range of ideas that individuals could implement alone or in groups, i.e. as an NGO (i.e. raising awareness for the youth all over Georgia, young people should be target group for all kinds of NGOs, organisation of festivals, workshops & all kinds of events that promote European values, environmental projects, campaigns on social networks or simply taking parts in elections).
Demand for similar workshops
It can be concluded that at least among young, educated Georgians from urban areas there is a strong desire for living in a society that is based on democratic structures, universal values and the rule of law. During the workshop these aspects have been attributed exclusively to the West and more specifically to the European Union. Any kind of differing views that could have been grounded on Russian influence and propaganda measures have not been noticed. Given the very positive feedback during the concluding evaluation round (great input, lots of inspiration, many new friends, demand for such kind of group work) it is strongly recommended to reach out with similar workshops to more young Georgians. Workshops should be provided not only in Tbilisi but also in the rural areas in the periphery of the country (with a higher number people from ethnic minorities) and even in other countries of the South Caucasus.
Andreas Bock Works for the Network for Reporting on Eastern Europe (n-ost) as head of editorial department of online portal eurotopics.net. 2005–2008 cultural and project manager in Budapest working for the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (ifa) and MitOst. Studied Cultural and Social Sciences at Freie Universität Berlin, UC Berkeley and the European University Viadrina, Frankfurt (Oder). Member of the Strategy Group of “A Soul for Europe”.
Discuss the topics of Forum Tbilisi with two of the participants at the A Soul for Europe Conference 2017 on 10th/11th November in Berlin. Register now!
