OSCE Commissioner launches inter-ethnic initiatives in Georgia

The Messenger, Georgia
Feb 16 2005

An OSCE project to strengthen inter-ethnic relations in Georgia
is being launched by State Minister for Civic Integration Zinaida
Bestaeva, the OSCE announced on Tuesday.

The new initiative ‘Management of Inter-ethnic Relations’ was
developed by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM)
and aims at deepening inter-ethnic relations throughout the country
and particularly in the region of Samtskhe-Javakheti, home to a large
ethnic Armenian community.

According to the OSCE at a series of seminars and workshops, regional
and national civil servants, community leaders and NGO representatives
will address the complex topic of minority integration, will gain
greater awareness of inter-ethnic issues and will develop positive
practical strategies.

A four-day seminar opening on February 14 marked the start of the
two-year project. Two experts from Kyrgyzstan are participating in
the seminar, which is implemented by the Tbilisi-based Foundation
for the Development of Human Resources.