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Tbilisi Security Conference
11 August 2024 - 9:30 am - 6:30 pm
About the event:
Despite the ideals and efforts of several generations to bring lasting peace to Europe and the world, armed conflict and escalation remain a daily presence in the lives of many young Europeans – whether in their direct lived experience, their fears for the future, or their contacts and solidarity with peers elsewhere. This includes not just Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but also violence in the South Caucasus and Gaza, among others. While the Green movement is rooted in non-violence and pacifism, these terms are at times vaguely defined and understood within and outside the Green movement. They are also easier to defend in times of peace.
This one-day conference in Tbilisi will spotlight and dive deeper into GEF’s ongoing work on geopolitics, peace, and security, combining expert inputs with non-formal education on topics ranging from peacebuilding in practice, to environment and security, to green practice and proposals on European defence. With a particular focus on enlargement as well as youth perspectives, the conference aims to be a space for learning and reflection, and to highlight green visions for a safer Europe and world.
Project background:
This project connects directly to GEF’s thematic priority Geopolitics, Peace, and Security, as well as the transversal focus on youth. It also supports our strategic focus on bringing the green wave to Southern and Eastern Europe, and provides an important opportunity to spotlight and discuss GEF’s most recent peace and security publications.
Programme:
9:30-10:15 – Opening
10:15-11:45 – Plenary panel: Paradigm shifts and non-violence today
With Laurent Standaert (Director of the Green European Foundation), Giorgi Ptskialadze (Former Secretary General of CDN), Yevheniia Bryhinets (CDN Executive Committee), Joanna Kaminska (Policy Advisor and mediation expert at the European Parliament – online) . Moderation: Igor Skórzybót (CDN Sec-Gen)
11:45-12:00 – Coffee break
12:00-13:30 – Green perspectives on European Security – visions and testimonies
You can read the featured articles and testimonies via this link.
With Tatia Ishkneli (“Queer security in Georgia”), Serdar Şengezer (“Securitization of Migration in Europe: Processes, Influences, and Paths to De-Securitization”), Natalia Volyk (“The security of Europe through the experience of the Russian-Ukrainian war”), Nijat Guliyev (“Navigating Challenges: Queer Security Dynamics in the South Caucasus and EU”), and Kateryna Andrieieva (Study Session and Security Toolkit). Moderation: Filip Janković (CDN EC)
13:30-15:00 – Lunch
15:00-16:30 – Parallel sessions: Peacebuilding and reconciliation
With Joanna Kaminska (Policy Advisor and mediation expert at the European Parliament – online), Maria Khachatrian (Frontline Youth Network), Nikola Kožul (Human Rights Lawyer at Serb National Council, Vice President of Sustainable Development Forum – Green Window). Moderation: Cemre Nayir (CDN EC)
15:00-16:30 – Parallel sessions: Environment and security
With Yevheniia Zasiadko (Climate Policy Expert, Razom we Stand), Mariam Yeghiazaryan (CSN Lab), Aliaksei Auchynnikau (Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group). Moderation: Lena Anna Kuklińska (FYEG, Anonymous for the Voiceless)
17:00-18:30 – Interview: Green defence policy in practice
With Progresīvie (Latvia)
18:30-18:40 – Closing
Practicalities:
Date and Time: 11th of August, 9:30AM-6:30PM CEST
Location: Fabrika Hostel, 8 Egnate Ninoshvili Street, Tbilisi, Georgia
Language: English
Registration: This one-day conference is open to all interested participants. However, you must register in advance via THIS LINK.
Contact: Please email anthony.msika@gef.eu if you have any further questions or concerns, or if you would like GEF to cover your travel or accommodation to this event (support available on a limited basis).
This Summer School is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of the Cooperation and Development Network in Eastern Europe (CDNEE) and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.
