The project aims at creating a certain ecosystem, built on the principle of the interconnection of scientific, discussion and media spaces, which will serve as an infrastructure for the development of democratic public sphere supporting democracy and Georgia. The project will foster rational and competent discussions on important and sensitive issues making it widely accessible to the public through an intensive media coverage, rather than retaining it within the professional circle.

The main goal of the project is to create a space for public discussions through focusing on inclusion-related topics that will help to reconstruct and institutionalize the democratic public sphere in Georgia. To contribute to this process, the present initiative aims to create a space, where on the one hand, leading actors of civil society and academia will have opportunities to discuss and debate on issues that are important for the Georgian society. On the other hand, citizens from all over the country will be able to interact and participate in this process. Moreover, the project aims to support and motivate students to take part not only in the project preparation level but also become part of the discussions. Finally, yet importantly, the project will offer a workshop to media representatives to improve skills and knowledge on the modalities of facilitating a rational public debate.

In the framework of the project:

• In total, 13 discussions on fundamental societal issues (10 topics) will be conducted at Ilia State University and selected universities in the regions of Georgia led by competent speakers and contributors;
• Ilia State University students will be prepared for and involved in the discussions; in regions students will have an opportunity to engage in discussions as well;
• All discussions will be broadcasted in partnership with Artarea TV and therefore, will go beyond usual academic audience;
• A Training for the media representatives will be conducted on the modalities of a rational public debate;
• The professional recordings of discussions will be available online;
• The discussion materials will be published as a separate volume, presented to the wider public and made available online.

Detailed Description of the Project Activities:

Ilia State University Center for Advanced Studies will organize 13 discussions (at Ilia State University and in the regions) on the following 10 topics:

• The United States and the Democratization Process in Post-Soviet Countries
• Church-State Relations in a Democratic Society
• Nationalism and Democracy: Disputed Issues
• Values and Institutions: The Problem of Citizenship in Post-Soviet Countries
• The Role and Function of University in a Democratic Society
• Minority – A for transitional democracies?
• Changing Media Landscape in the Digital Age: Challenges and Opportunities
• Transformation of the Public Sphere: Totalitarian, Authoritarian, Democratic
• Conspiracy Theories: History, Theory, and How to Fight Them
• Types of Religious Fundamentalism

Funding Source: U.S. Embassy Democracy Commission Small Grant Program

Project Duration:  1 September 2022 – 31 August 2023

2022