Annual Georgian Studies Day

University of Westminster, 4 December 2006

Theme: ‘Georgia in 2006’

Report by Catherine Philpott (Chair NKA)

The Chair, Tamara Dragadze outlined the history and purpose of the annual Georgian Study Days; that the original emphasis had been on academia and culture but now there was a gradual move to include trade and economic affairs. (right:Tamara Dragadze with Catherine)

His Excellency Ambassador Gela Charkviani, the new Ambassador to the UK, gave a detailed overview of some of the main commercial and international achievements during the last three years. In the extensive list of achievements he included:

• Anti-corruption measures which have helped to increase the State budget five-fold.
• Greater ease of business start-ups.
• Nearly all hydro-electric plants working at full capacity and energy bill collection rates up to 80%.
• The listing of the Bank of Georgia on the London Stock Exchange - an encouraging sign of the confidence of foreign investors.

Problems remain:
• Relations with Russia remain poor.
• Ban by Russia on imports of wine, water and agricultural products
• No flights from Moscow to Tbilisi.

This means:
Embargo and loss of the traditional outlet would require Georgia to diversify and compete in the open market.

Paul Carter - Foreign and Commonwealth Office looked at prospects for the future. As part of “Intensified Dialogue” between the UK and Georgia he referred to support given by the UK for programmes relating to public sector finance, health and trade. Thanks to strides Georgia has made for itself, there had been a 9% growth in industrial production, the public debt had been reduced from 36% to 27% and the World Bank had rated Georgia as the fastest growing economy. Echoing the Ambassador, he pointed out the major challenges posed by the trade embargoes by Russia and the difficult relationship with the breakaway regions of Abkharzia and South Ossetia. Here there was need for restraint and the reopening dialogue with Russia. The Action Plan for Georgia under the “European Neighbourhood” scheme with the EU was still in place though not all its objectives, such as strengthening the judicial system, had been achieved.

Anna Taci - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development - had been in Georgia the previous week to present the EBRD’s report for the region, so she was able to give very current news of some of the topics included by the previous speakers.

While the main issue spoken of in Georgia is “how to deal with Russia” there is general optimism. The economy is doing well and to some extent there has been diversification with wine being sold to the Ukraine. Though the loss of the Russian market is painful in the short term many see this as a blessing in the long term.

When the Caucasian gas pipeline starts next year, Georgia will obtain a transit fee. The International Monetary Fund expects a big increase in investment, especially in the service sector such as hotels. The Government is fully aware that the main risk for the foreign investor would be war, and that the best solution for problems is a strong economy even more than mere politics.

Professors Lydyard and Nina Porakishvili of University College London Medical School discussed, in the context of Higher Education support for the Southern Caucasus, their involvement in a European Union TEMPUS programme from 1995 to the present. TEMPUS programmes are directed to young people to acquire skills which they then pass on. In this case it was the restructuring of teaching in immunology. The restructuring ranged from the provision of new equipment to introduction of new methods of assessment. Prof. Porakishvili especially emphasised the real need for employment within Georgia for their newly qualified, well trained scientists. Too many graduates are leaving for employment abroad.

Peter Naysmith, author, traveller, photographer ( see books) gave a presentation illustrating the wonderful scenery, flora and fauna of Georgia. He showed too some of the changes he had witnessed in Georgia’s transformation from a ‘Communist State’ to ‘Shevardnadze’s State’ to now ’Saakashvili’s State’. In Tbilisi there is much hotel construction but renovation of old residential buildings for the foreign market has inevitably resulted in price rises. He emphasised throughout his talk that even in the remote areas where he walked he had felt perfectly safe in contrast to the impression given in Peter Shore’s recent book.

Chris Rayment of EveryChild outlined the charity’s work, in partnership with the Government, in returning children from institutional care to care within a family setting.
This meant a three-fold approach of-
a) Preventing entry to an institution by supporting to the family in the first place.
b) Reintegration of a child to its family with on-going support,
c) Family-style alternatives such as foster-care.

Statistics were available to show the success of these steps – 888 children so far prevented from entering care.
Next steps in the programme included recruitment and training of more staff, individual care plans for children, and closure of institutions following assessment of community needs. He gave a vivid example of a geographically remote community where children were in an institution merely because they could not access schooling. Provision of a school bus did away with the need for the institution.

A report of twinning activities from Bristol and Newport
Bristol Twinning Association presented a short report which was read by Tamara Dradgadze on their behalf

Newport Kutaisi Association NKA Chair, Catherine Philpott, gave a full account of the Association’s activities for the past year, accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation. Highlights included:

• Pages from the new website.
• Outlining the training programme provided by Newport City Council and the University of Wales Newport for 5 key Georgian social workers last June - with hospitality provided by the Association and Newport &DI Soroptimists.
• The recently established Local Democracy Agency office in Kutaisi
• Details of forthcoming social events.

NKA’s newsletter Arielonline was distributed to the meeting.

go to Catherine's complete presentation

Keti Kalandadze provided news of an initiative close to home - the need to establish a Georgian Orthodox church in London to provide not just spiritual but practical help to the estimated 70,000 Georgians living in the UK, many illegally. Currently services are held about once a month in a St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Shepherds Bush but the requirement is for the community’s own building where a variety of Georgian activities can take place. Her visual presentation of a recent party for the oldest Georgian living in London showed how some of the traditional Georgian culture is maintained. The full day, ending with the now traditional wine reception, once again provided varied snapshots of Georgia today and a great opportunity to meet old and new friends.