Young People Successfully Complete the "Human Rights Academy" of Rights Georgia
2 May, 2025
From April 28 to 30, 2025, young participants from the municipalities of Lagodekhi, Kvareli, Sagarejo, Gardabani, and Akhaltsikhe successfully completed the educational program of the "Human Rights Academy," implemented by Rights Georgia with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Georgia. The final workshop was held in Tbilisi.
The Human Rights Academy was created for young people from non-dominant ethnic groups. As part of the online lecture series, experts invited by Rights Georgia introduced participants to key topics such as basic principles of human rights, democracy, civil society, media, rule of law, advocacy, and active citizenship.
During the three-day workshop in Tbilisi, the academy participants developed joint initiatives aimed at strengthening and supporting their respective communities. They also visited the Human Rights House Tbilisi, where they learned about the work of its member organizations. Additionally, they met with a representative from the Office of the Public Defender and attended a lecture on the current state of women’s rights and gender equality in Georgia. The academy students also explored how issues concerning non-dominant ethnic groups are portrayed in the media. They also participated in a historical tour organized by the Soviet Past Research Laboratory (Sovlab) and visited sites related to the declaration of independence of the First Republic of Georgia and the Soviet Russian occupation.
It is noteworthy that the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Georgia, as the project’s supporter, hosted the academy participants. The Ambassador, Ms. Meline Arakelian, met with the young participants in person, learned about their initiatives, and spoke about the Netherlands’ support for Georgia’s European integration.
The academy participants were also received by the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, Mr. Paweł Herczyński, who shared his vision regarding Georgia’s prospects on the path to EU integration. He invited the young people to attend the Europe Day celebration scheduled for May 9 in Tbilisi.
The online lectures and three-day workshop were made possible under the project "Human Rights Academy for Youth from Non-Dominant Ethnic Groups," implemented with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Georgia. At the final stage of the project, Rights Georgia will award small grants to implement the initiatives developed by the youth in their respective municipalities.
