Deported Meskhetian NGO activities
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From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 11:53:45 +0200 (EET)
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Subject: Deported Meskhetian NGO activities
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Marat Baratashvili <[email protected]>
Deported Meskhetian NGO activities
Press release of the Union of Georgian Repatriates
As we informed earlier, on January 22-24, 2002 in Bakuriani (Georgia)
the Union of Georgian Repatriates (UGR) at support of Council of
Europe has carried out the seminar devoted to study of experience on
repatriation of deported Crimean Tatars in Ukraine.
On March 14-17, 2002 UGR has carried out the second activities within
the framework of the project "Inter-ethnic dialogues for non-conflict
repatriation ", supported by Council of Europe. It was the training
seminar devoted to the basic principles of a non-violent way of life,
based on the international methodology AVP (Alternative to Violence
Project).
7 men representing Georgian, Azerbaijan, Armenian, Osetian, Russian
ethnic communities of Georgia and 5 representatives of
Meskhetian-repatriates have taken part in the training. In the
geographical relation the following regions of Georgia were
represented: Samtckhe-Javakheti, Guria, Imereti, Kartli and city
Tbilisi. Facilitators in the training were Marat Baratashvili, Klara
Baratashvili and Manana Kandelaki, having qualification of the trainer
on AVP methodology and also wide experience of their realization.
The participants of the training had an opportunity to familiarize
with the theory and to practise in such subjects as the elements of
the effective communications, methods of the resolution of conflicts,
search of the non-violent decisions, competition, compromise,
cooperation etc. Most important: participants - for the first time met
people, within 4 days close have got acquainted with each other, and
also with "alive" Meskhetians, about which they had vague image till
now.
It was the first AVP training in the Caucasus, which's participants
were the representatives of different ethnic groups. And in this
connection we had some fears - whether the interethnic dialogue is
held? But results surpassed all our expectations. The participants -
representatives of different ethnic groups, religions, regions and
ages, by the end of the training have realized themselves as the
members of one rallied team. The participants of group with tears on
eyes were forgiven with each other, did not want to part.
All participants in the written estimation have noted a high degree of
organization of the training. All marked, that the allocated time was
insufficient. They have noted friendly and confidential atmosphere,
and also interest of all participants of training. They consider, that
the knowledge and skills received in the training will be useful for
them and will be applied in their further life. On a question "How you
think whether expediently to apply AVP methodology to strengthening
trust between the representatives of different ethnic groups?" all
participants unanimously have answered: "Yes". The participants highly
have estimated professional qualities of the trainers and, basically,
they explain it success.
In turn, the trainer-facilitators at the working meeting after
training analyzed process of the training and its results. The
conclusion of the trainers was unequivocal: the AVP methodology has
sustained difficult examination for the efficiency. The group that was
so different in structure has turned in amicable, rallied collective
for 4 days. The main merit in this belongs to the AVP method. This
method is necessary to apply in many before-conflict, conflict and
post-conflict situations having place not only in the Caucasus - so is
considered by the trainers and also participants of the training.
Other activities of UGR are coming within the framework of the
mentioned project.
Information about a course of the further realisation of the project
"Inter-ethnic dialogues for non-conflict repatriation" will be given
to all interested persons.
Our contacts:
Phone: (995 32) 79 25 10
E-mail: [email protected]
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