The Peace Studies Center - “Youth Platform for Peacebuilding” has been opened at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University. The center will create a new educational space for young people to study and understand conflicts, historical experience, and modern social processes.
The center was opened by Zurab Pataradze, Chairman of the Adjara Autonomous Republic Government, Tite Aroshidze, Rector of Batumi State University, Givi Mikanadze, Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia, Giorgi Volski, First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, David Patsatsia, Minister of Internally Displaced Persons of Abkhazia, and Lia Gigauri, First Deputy State Minister for Reconciliation and Civil Equality.
Speakers at the opening ceremony of the center spoke about the importance of peace education, dialogue and active involvement of young people and noted that the new center will be an important platform for promoting a culture of peace, mutual understanding and cooperation.
A thematic exhibition of students from the Peria Public School and an evening of creative groups from Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University were organized as part of the event.
Representatives of the legislative and executive authorities, members of the A/R governments of Adjara and Abkhazia, and other invited guests also participated in the opening of the center.
The activities of the Peace Education Center will be based on the many years of experience of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University in the fields of historical research, conflict studies and social sciences. The center will be headed by BSU Associate Professor Natalia Lazba.
The Center aims to offer students and young people academic and practical opportunities in the field of peacebuilding, conflict analysis, dialogue and reconciliation. The Center will combine education, research and practical activities, promote the development of critical thinking and the active involvement of young people in public processes.
The Center plans to implement trainings, seminars, research projects, public discussions and youth initiatives. Special attention will be paid to the development of mediation, negotiations, conflict prevention and peaceful communication skills.
The initiative is of particular importance for the Adjara region, where diverse cultural, social and public processes have historically been evident. The creation of the Center will contribute to the understanding of different experiences among young people, strengthening the culture of tolerance and public dialogue.
The platform also aims to deepen mutual understanding and cooperation between students of different nationalities, cultures and confessional affiliations. The Center will promote the preservation and popularization of the Abkhazian language, culture and historical memory, as well as support youth projects aimed at peacebuilding and reconciliation.
The Center will actively cooperate with international and regional organizations. Both Georgian and foreign researchers, experts and practitioners will be involved in the programs, who will share modern knowledge and experience with young people. The establishment of the “Youth Platform for Peacebuilding” is a continuation of the educational and research activities of the University and creates a space where students, researchers and practitioners will unite around common goals.
| Back |
