29 Oct 2007
A week-long programme of events aimed at informing about NATO kicked off in the capital Tbilisi on Monday 29 October. The wide range of academic, social, promotional, cultural and sporting activities is aimed at reaching a broad cross-section of the Georgian public.
"NATO Week in Georgia" was officially opened at Georgia's Information Centre on NATO by the State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, George Baramidze, and Defence Minister Batu Katelia. The opening was attended by a number of high-level officials from the various ministries, the Bulgarian ambassador to NATO, representatives from NATO Headquarters and the NATO Liaison Officer for the Caucasus, as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations.
The programme's expert and academic discussions include a roundtable at the Ministry of Defence, lectures at the Tbilisi State University and the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, and a conference at the Georgian University of Social Science. A workshop on "NATO-Georgia cooperation in the field of Science" aimed to highlight opportunities for Georgian scientists under the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme.
Other activities focus on raising awareness of NATO among wider audiences. These include regional events involving local government officials; art exhibitions, cartoons and the presentation of a comic book on NATO for children; a sporting event with the participation of Georgian Olympic champions; and promotional activities targeting people in the street. NATO Week will close with a gala concert on Saturday evening, 3 November.
"NATO Week in Georgia" is organized by Georgia's Information Centre on NATO in cooperation with local partners. Some activities are co-sponsored by NATO's Public Diplomacy Division.
