- We do not agree with the opinion that computer is a bad thing, and one
should not use it. But we are ready to realize negative results of this
communication – such a comment was recorded during the debate-club held in
Kutaisi. Participants were interested in the question, what is the link between
low level of education and the use of a computer.
According to young people, the growth of aggression among young people is
often a reflection of computer games, which they are addicted.
The debate participants said that balance should be kept, and that the work
with computer does not mean ignoring of books, or vice versa.
The meeting provided a certain result – after it young people said they
would more actively read the literature of different genres.
The project is implemented with the
support of Kvinna till Kvinna,
At Kutaisi Youth Centre were held regular debates on the topic
"Non-violent culture among young people".
Participants discussed reasons of conflicts and violence. A leader of
the debates named figures showing that statistically indicators of aggression
and violence among young people are increasing. The reasons are - low social
background, negative impact of globalization, family conflicts, and unstable
politics in the country...
According to young people, such meetings contribute to strengthening of
tolerance and non-violent culture among young people.
The debates were attended by the representatives of the Swedish women’s
organisation Kvinna till Kvinna, Sara Laginder and Tinatin Japaridze.
The project is implemented with the
support of Kvinna till Kvinna,
Who is familiar with the past of Georgia, to what extent they know the
history and significance of cultural monuments - these issues were discussed at
Senaki debate club.
They agreed with the opinion that cultural heritage should be protected
- they count centuries and reflect the ancient Georgian culture.
"Every Georgian is obliged
to know his/her own history and culture and preserve them for future
generations," – was noted during the discussion.
Attendees also said that every corner of Georgia is rich with historical
and cultural monuments. Young people should start respecting for the past from
studying the history of their own region.
All that was told at the meeting was immediately turned into a reality -
after the debate young people visited Senaki museum of local history.
Participants decided to see other cultural monuments next time and learn
more about them...
The project is implemented with the
support of Kvinna till Kvinna,
- What problems accompany early marriages, what age is ideal for
marriage, what is stipulated by the legislation, what young people think -
discussion in at Khurcha Youth Center was devoted to these issues.
Through real examples participants discussed the problems and
difficulties of the girls who create families at school age: they often become
victims of violence – they cannot continue their studies, they do not have the
right of choice, they become dependent.
According to the participants, early marriages are directly related to
discrimination. During the determination of the optimal age of marriage there
were expressed different views, but everyone was unanimous in one thing - they
are against anything that can lead to discrimination against girls.
The project is implemented with the
support of Kvinna till Kvinna,
"We
are the children who have been living in the hardest conditions for many years,
who have experienced all the bitterness of conflict. Our generation knows well
the value of peace”.
"Everyone
needs peace - in family, in society, and in the world, but do little to achieve
it. First we must become peacemakers by ourselves, that we were able to build
peace".
Such
words were heard at the youth debate clubs in Kutaisi, Khoni, Senaki,
Tshaltubo, Khurcha. For the discussion participants chose the topic:
"Peace - in us, peace - in families, peace - in the world".
In
the recommendations young people noted that peace is like a subject that should
be studied from the first grade, so that everyone realized that only through
daily work one can achieve peace, harmony and equality. The peacemaking activity
should not be stopped, youth initiatives should be implemented more actively.
The project is implemented with the support of
Kvinna till Kvinna,
The Youth Network Centers have continued to work actively.
- Conflicts between generations,
different values – Poti debate club were interested in these issues.
According to the participants, the relationship can be resolved only through
proper communication.
The following topic was discussed
at Khoni Debate Club : "The psychotropic dependence - the reason of
family conflicts". Participants believe that the problem is caused by the
lack of awareness and employment.
Debates were interesting in Tshaltubo, Kutaisi, Senaki and Khurcha.
During these meetings participants discussed the issue of self-esteem. Young
people said that self-esteem is linked directly with conflict situations - high
self-esteem often generates a perpetrator, and people with low self-esteem have
to play the role of victim. The meetings were significant, since young people
looked at themselves from aside and appreciated their strengths and weaknesses.
The project is implemented with the support of Kvinna
till Kvinna,
"Family
conflicts – victim, perpetrator, society’s attitude”. Debates on this theme
were held in six youth debate clubs with participation of about 130 young
people.
The
debates showed the relevance of the theme.
There
was revealed a common attitude of young people to the fact that family
conflicts are directly related to violence. In the recommendations there were
expressed opinions that people should learn to manage conflict through
communication.
There
was a disagreement with regard to the question – who should resolve family
conflicts? A family member, a neighbor, a friend, an NGO, state and other
structures. Most people believe that if a family conflict took the form of
violence, along with the conflict parties there should be interfered different
structures that violence has not led to tragic consequences.
Debates organized by Khoni youth center, distinguished from all others.
Activists with the support of the local Municipality Council held an event –
visited Martvili monastery complex and discussed in the nature the topic
"Youth and cultural-historical heritage". They considered their duty
to actively protect the cultural heritage.
The
project is implemented with the support of Kvinna
till Kvinna,
How the society conceives the role and function of NGO
in the eradication of domestic violence, what experts and representatives of
different social groups think about this, what should be the key issue in their
"agenda", and in which direction should the work be strengthened - a
lively discussions on these and other questions once again showed public
organizations, as serious actors in the process of addressing the problem of
domestic violence. They play an important part in the identification and
management of cases, providing psycho-social and legal services to victims,
public awareness-raising and promoting non-violent culture.
The conversation mainly concerned the issue what is
more organic – awareness-raising, education, capacity-building or monitoring
the law and the referral mechanisms and the work on the improvement of the law?
That is - more help or more control?
The opinions were divided in two, but the arguments
were in favor of the proponents of both positions.
"If it were only sufficient to inform, educate or
even provide services, the work of only Fund "Sukhumi" would be
enough for the whole region” - was said at the meeting. "- There is need of
more monitoring and greater manifestation of state responsibilities.”
It was noted: "It will be good if we do not begin
to invent a bicycle and the state uses the resources of NGOs in terms of
providing social services and finds the necessary funds, especially - at the
local level."
The participants agreed that the non-governmental
sector has a coordination function. It was not also controversial that "as
a rule, NGOs are first to notice problems and sound the alarm. They are first
to begin looking for the way out, attracting other structures and often those
who are required to respond to the problem."
The TV-company "Rioni” devoted an interesting
programme to the issues raised at the meeting.
The project is
implemented with the support of the organization Brot
für die Welt – Evangelischer Entwicklunsdienst (Germany)
"Is
the Georgian language under the influence of foreign languages, and what should
be done to preserve native language", - this question caused interest
among young attendees of the debate club in Kutaisi.
-
What is the conflict between the generations, why "fathers and sons"
do not find agreement – young people from Senaki have their own position with
regard to this issue.
Tskhaltubo
debate club was interested in the problem of the impact of globalization on
national values.
-
Gender equality in family and in society – this theme has become topical for
the young people in Poti.
Debates
in Khurcha were also interesting. Participants expressed their views on the
question - whether there is a deficiency of literacy in their generation.
- Let's start with ourselves, let’s not pollute the environment, as this
has negative impact on our health! – such decision, preceded by a lively
discussion on the subject, was made at
the end of the debate in Khoni.
The debate participants not only discuss the problem, but think about
preventive mechanisms, such as the proposals that turn into recommendations
after each debate.
The
project is implemented with the support of Kvinna
till Kvinna,
Debate Clubs carried out in six Youth Centres were dedicated to the
problems relevant for the youth.
In the debates held in Kutaisi, Tskhaltubo, Khoni, Senaki, Poti and Khurcha
participated 150 young people. They expressed a desire to participate in the
discussion and solution of important issues in the future too.
Future plans of the Network include different activities that will
contribute to consolidation of young people living in Western Georgia.
The
project is implemented with the support of Kvinna
till Kvinna, women’s Foundation (Sweden)
Debates on the theme "Stereotypes and functional roles in the modern family (in the context of domestic violence) " were held inWomen’s Support Center in Senaki.
The theme was selected from the problematic issues identified during Fund "Sukhumi’s" activity in the region. In the meeting participated teachers of different ages, lawyers, journalists, representatives of the local self-government of Senaki.
After the speeches of facilitators and invited experts there was held an interesting discussion. The following views were expressed at the debates:
- "Any of us can become a victim of stereotypes and domestic violence".
- "Each family member should reasonably address the problem, the stereotypes are formed in society and have an impact on young people".
During the meeting participants mentioned that it is desirable to continue the work on these issues in the form of interviews and surveys and involve young people.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
At the Round table meeting organized at the hotel "Tiripebi" in Kutaisi members of Fund "Sukhumi" talked about annual activities of the organisation.
About 10 short-term and long-term projects: peace building activity, work with youth, support of women, IDPs' rights protection and their integration, psychological and legal consultation, Club of Women-Voters, cooperation with political parties, information sector - members of the Board, project coordinators and assistants, leaders and volunteers of Fund "Sukhumi" talked about activities implemented in those directions.
Fund "Sukhumi" completed its annual activity. New Year holidays will last until January 10th, 2011.
The project is implemented with the support of women's Swedish foundation Kvinna till Kvinna.
For 3 days fund "Sukhumi" visited young women from Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Bolnisi (Georgia). One of the events was held in the auditorium of KutaisiStateUniversity.
There was arranged screenings on the problems of integration, violence and education, shot by young women-leaders of fund "Sukhumi". The debate was very interesting, since the aforementioned problems were discussed at the example of the three countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia).
Mobile discussion club began its movement towards Vani. The theme of discussion was "The place of woman in society". The discussion club was attended by pupils of tenth and eleventh grade of public schools # 1 and 2 in Vani.
The debates were quite lively. The participants’ opinions on the discussed topics were different. They said that they had never participated in such discussions and expressed their desire to participate in such activities in the future too.
Debates on the topic "Psycho-social environment and family climate in the context of domestic violence" were held on the 22nd of November at Women’s SupportCenter in Khurcha (village in Zugdidi District, border zone).
The theme was chosen based on the issues discussed during the training. The meeting was attended by teachers, school students, representatives of the health spectrum and the women who came to the meeting from the border villages Nabakevi, Koki. The debate began with the provision of information by experts and facilitator. The audience quickly joined in the process of debate. On the background of information provided there were carried out very interesting discussions, views were expressed about the theme: the current socio-political situation determines the living conditions of people. And this society, in fact, have to live in an uncontrolled area, which causes many problems. In their opinion, dependence on alcohol, drugs, gambling influences much the family climate, which is factually uncontrolled there. "Our young people are killed by imitation. It seems as if they do it all for self-affirmation." "We - doctors, nurses and teachers are in a stressful situation too. There are no security guarantees... "
In this situation it is very important to provide correct information about the harmful effects of these biases. Participants of the meeting outlined the prospects of joint cooperation.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
On September 21 in Women’s Support Centre in Tskhaltubo were carried out debate on the topic: "Divorce – a way out the situation or clash with another problem”.
Invited experts submitted statistical data on divorce, discussed reasons and social outcomes.
There was expressed an opinion that if divorce is inevitable, it is better to make it happen on time, despite the problems which follow it. During divorce most of all suffers psyche of a child.
"Child does not decide to be born or not, does not choose neither mother nor father”, "Stigma – a child from the divorced family, has negative influence on his/her psyche”.
Participants of the meeting also mentioned that divorce should not mean a blood feud between the spouses. And we have do much in this direction.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.
Public debate on the topic "Divorce – a way out the situation or clash with another problem” was carried out in Women’s support centre in Khoni. Participants of the debate were teachers, representatives of governmental structures, women IDPs, invited experts.
The experts presented statistical data on divorce in Khoni. There was made analysis of reasons and social outcomes. In participants’ opinion divorces on basis of violence are rare. Often the reason is economic problems and marriage of minors.
There was also mentioned that in many cases divorce affects women and children. For woman divorce is the beginning of new challenges and for children the beginning of bifurcated life.
Like at other public meetings there was strongly criticized uncontrolled informational space and its harmful social outcomes.
The project is implemented with the support of the organization EED Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst.