In October of current year ten years have passed since the first seminar had been held at Tbilisi School of Political Studies. However, instead of celebrating the anniversary pompously, the first seminar of the new academic year started in a usual way, thus underlining the ten-year-old inspiration of the School – to oppose the complacence.

The mentioned seminar was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the well known Georgian Philosopher called Georgian Socrates – Merab Mamardashvili. The topics tackled on October 21-22 seminars in Bakuriani by the new listeners of the school together with the larger audience of the school graduates and with participation of Georgian and foreign experts – have already been established as eternal things for Georgia. Namely, the topics referred to: improvement of conciliation culture, in particular, they referred to the necessity of such culture. From the other hand, the topics were enriched with original reports and new views. The school always enjoyed attention from the diplomatic corps accredited in Georgia, but this time the presence of European Ambassadors and representatives of different international organizations was really significant. Among the high rank guests were: the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Switzerland to Georgia and Armenia Mr Günter Behler, Head of EU Delegation in Georgia Mr Per Eklund, Special Representative of EC Secretary General in Georgia Mr Boris Wods, the Extraordinary Ambassador of Netherlands to Georgia Mr Peter Langerberg, the Extraordinary Ambassador of France in Georgia, Mr Eric Fournier, and the Extraordinary Ambassador of Hungary in Georgia Mr Gabor Sagi.

Some of the guests conducted only the anniversary-oriented welcome speeches; the others, for example Mr Boris Wods presented interesting presentation regarding the European experience in reconciliation to the audience. Mr Wods, being of Polish origin, mentioned that the history of Poland was always “rich” of conflicts. It encountered internal conflicts and problems with the immediate neighbors regarding the border disputes. With this regards, Georgia reminds me Poland – said Mr Wods, however, Poland managed to conciliate with the neighbors and ensured peaceful co-existence.

The well known Russian journalist, the Editor-in-Chief of Radio “Echo Caucasus,” Mr Andrei Babitsky and the journalist of “Novaya Gazeta” Ms. Zoya Eroshok have already visited the school for several times.

It is noteworthy that the school’s disposition to incorporate artifacts of Georgian Poetry into the seminars besides the political themes appeared to be communicative among the foreign experts too. Russian journalist Andrei Babitski could not help declaiming Russian poetry at the end of his report. The record of the mentioned presentation is kept at the Gold Fund of the School’s web-site. Yet, before declaiming the poetry, he focused his presentation on the current events in North Caucasus and positively assessed decision made by the Georgian Government regarding release of entry visa regime for the settlers of Northern Caucasus Republics of Russia. He believed that the removal of all obstacles and limitations improves relationships between the ordinary public and represents the one of the key tools for reconciliation and restoration of trust.

The main focus of Georgian experts was directed to the settlement of the conflicts existing in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region. In this regard the most important part of the seminar was the optimistic speech made by the conflict management scientist Mr Paata Zakareishvili, who addressed the urgency of starting dialogue with Abkhazs and Osetians. According to his words, in spite of the extremely worsened current situation and relations, Georgia still has enough resources to reintegrate these two regions. He said it will become possible only if the both sides recognize their mistakes and will be able to get in dialogue without involvement of the third parties. Settlement of the mentioned conflicts will not take longer than further 10 years. The Georgian expert counted several grounds for such optimism, among which was mentioned the threat of demographic inhalation facing the population of those two regions if the existing situation remains unchanged longer. As Mr Paata Zakareishvili mentioned, if some time ago Russia was threatening Georgia by “Cyprus-modeling” of Abkhazia and South Osetia, today, since Russia has recognized the independence of these two regions, Georgia holds the unique chance to kick back Russia the “Cyprus example”. This can be possible through improved economy, implemented democratic reforms and transforming Georgia into the attractive country for Abkhazs and Osetians as was Cyprus for its citizens living in the Turkish breakaway region.

Due to the tenth anniversary of the school the Georgian and foreign experts and other high rank diplomats elucidated the school’s significant contribution made in development of civil society and political culture in Georgia. As it was mentioned there, the fact that the school has managed to pass through the ten-year period and stand numerous political tempests taking place in the country during that term, as well as to rise above the various political conjunctures existing during different times - means that the idea of establishment of such school has been justified. These ideas have been developed both during the seminars and the TV interviews. It was the first time when the ten-year tradition was “violated” by the school and the camera of one of the Georgian TV companies was allowed to attend the seminars.

The celebrity mood of the first seminar of the new Academic year in Bakuriani was adorned with awarding the Head of EU Delegation in Georgia Mr Per Eklund with the honorary title of The Best Expert of the year 2010. The founder and director of Tbilisi School of Political Studies Mr Armaz Akhvlediani handed over the Diploma certifying his honorary title to Mr Eklund and added that despite the fact that Mr Eklung’s diplomatic term in Georgia comes to its prearranged end, he as a devoted friend and honorable expert of the school will continue cooperation with this institution. Mr Armaz Akhvlediani also mentioned that the school never forgets its supporters and despite their current diplomatic statuses will always have them on its invitation list either as experts or guests.