On December 19, within the framework of the EU Prize for Journalism 2014, the EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) awarded Mr. Goga Aptsiauri with the Special Prize for Peace Journalism. The prize recognises reporting a peaceful solution on both sides of the conflict divide, acknowledging journalists who promote peace and social justice over violence, while addressing their audiences. This year, the EUMM Special Prize for Peace Journalism was handed over to Mr. Aptsiauri for the article "Pain and Hope from Sarajevo". In the article, the journalist describes his travel in Bosnia-Herzogovina and makes the reader contemplate how all wars are similar and how considerable common ground can be found among those who are on different sides of the divide, even when they are separated by conditional boundaries.
"We, journalists working in the region, have experienced war first-hand and we probably best of all know the price of peace. Receiving this award is a big responsibility" – Mr. Aptsiauri said at the award ceremony. He added that he will continue working on the topic discussed in his article and will try to assist the peace process. He also stressed EUMM’s role in maintaining stability on the ground.
Mr. Aptsiauri later wrote on his Facebook page: "It is rewarding when your work gets recognized. It is no less pleasant when congratulating messages arrive from Tskhinvali and Sokhumi as well. What makes me the happiest is that colleagues there trust me also and I will try to justify their trust".
Mr. Aptsiauri won an exciting opportunity to participate in the Caucasus Programme at the headquarters of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) in London where he will be traveling during springtime next year.
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"We, journalists working in the region, have experienced war first-hand and we probably best of all know the price of peace. Receiving this award is a big responsibility" – Mr. Aptsiauri said at the award ceremony. He added that he will continue working on the topic discussed in his article and will try to assist the peace process. He also stressed EUMM’s role in maintaining stability on the ground.
Mr. Aptsiauri later wrote on his Facebook page: "It is rewarding when your work gets recognized. It is no less pleasant when congratulating messages arrive from Tskhinvali and Sokhumi as well. What makes me the happiest is that colleagues there trust me also and I will try to justify their trust".
Mr. Aptsiauri won an exciting opportunity to participate in the Caucasus Programme at the headquarters of the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) in London where he will be traveling during springtime next year.