In frames of the National Integration and Tolerance in Georgia program Zurab Zhvania School of Public Administration has launched a new project “Enhance Democratic Governance within Ethnic Communities”. The goal of the project is to support the improvement of public administration and civic integration policy in Georgia.

Duration of the project is six months and it envisages one-month internships in governing bodies in Kutaisi, Poti and Batumi for 72 graduates of Zurab Zhvania School of Public Administration for the purpose of strengthening their theoretical knowledge with practical skills. The graduates are the representatives of ethnic minorities from the regions of compact settlements of ethnic minorities in Georgia – Kvemo Kartli, Samtskhe-Javakheti, South Ossetia, etc. The internships will take place at nine public bodies: Imereti Regional Administration, City Service of Batumi Municipality, Batumi Municipality, Poti Municipality, the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Security of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Public Defender’s Office of Georgia, and the National Agency of Public Registry. The interns will be provided with accommodation and scholarships.

The project was launched in October 2008. So far, 36 graduates have been involved in the project.

“I am glad that I, an excellent graduate of Zurab Zhvania School of Public Administration and the representative of ethnic minority have an honor to be involved in the work of the Department of Education and Licensing of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara as an intern. The work experience that I gained here is very important for me. I believe to have better chances to start working in Educational Recourse Center of Aspindza and Akhalkalaki as I have acquired theoretical and working skills of administrative work that are rather important for working there. I hope to successfully build my professional career in the nearest future. The experience I have gained will also help me to easyer integrate in the Georgian statehood, better understand common and individual values, and successfully contribute to democratic governance. It is very important for me personally” – says Napoleon Khachaturiani, graduate of Zurab Zhvania School of Public Administration, resident of Aspindza, temporarily unemployed.

In frames of the project, the interns will be awarded certificates at Marneuli and Akhalkalaki regional Municipalities, in order to organize a business meeting between local employers and qualified human resources.

Friendship, goodwill towards each other, and love between different ethnicities will guarantee the civic integration, prevention of ethnic conflicts, success of the democratic society, increased civic consciousness and economic prosperity in Georgia.

Irine Inaneishvili