The European Neighbourhood Chair of the College of Europe in Natolin organised a discussion titled "Georgia at the Crossroads: Will Democracy Prevail Over Authoritarianism?" which aimed to raise awareness about the threats of democratic backsliding which are hindering Georgia’s EU aspiration.
The event brought together Georgian experts Mr Ivane CHKHIKVADZE (on-site) and Ms Eka TKESHELASHVILI (on-line) as well as Prof. Adam ŁAZOWSKI, Scientific Coordinator at the European Neighbourhood Chair. The audience had the possibility to contribute to the discussion by asking questions and reflecting on the speeches of the speakers.
About the guest speakers:
Mr Ivane CHKHIKVADZE is EU Integration Program Manager at the Open Society Georgia Foundation. Before, he worked for the Eurasia Partnership Foundation and prior to joining the Foundation, he worked at the Office of the State Minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Georgia, where he assisted in monitoring and evaluating implementation of EU programs in the field of economic integration, public awareness, capacity building, education and trafficking. Mr CHKHIKVADZE is a Natolin alumnus of the Beethoven Promotion.
Ms Eka TKESHELASHVILI served as Deputy Prime Minister, State Minister for Reintegration of Georgia (2010-2012), as well as Head of Programmes at the European Anti-Corruption Initiative to Ukraine from 2014-2021. Prior to this Ms TKESHELASHVILI was President of the Georgian Institute for Strategic Studies. Currently she is Senior Director Anti-Corruption Practice Lead at Dexis Consulting Group.