EUMM continues its Outreach Project in providing public lectures on the Mission and its mandate for university students in Batumi and Poti

On March 14-15, Head of Analytical Reporting and Outreach Department of EUMM, Dr. Kaupo Kand delivered public lectures on the Mission and its mandate in the Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (March 14) and at the New Georgian University in Poti (March 15). 

The lecture at the Batumi Shota Rustaveli University was attended by students from different departments, including those studying international relations, history, and tourism. Around eighty students and academic staff attended the lecture and they provided positive feedback. The Deputy Rector of the University, Mrs. Tamar Siradze, introduced Dr. Kand and briefly spoke about his professional and academic background.

Dr. Kand presented his topic, namely the “European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia”, and gave a short overview of the conflicts in Georgia, the Six-Point Ceasefire Agreement, and the role of EUMM in monitoring its implementation, including main achievements and current challenges. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Kand provided a brief overview of the European Union Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), including missions.  

Students asked many relevant questions at the end of the presentation related to the mandate of the Mission, Mission’s activities, as well as Mission’s confidence building projects for youth. The students expressed their interest in continuance of these public lectures, and in launching more discussions about the topics presented. 

Dr. Kand gave a public lecture also at the New Georgian University of Poti. The MA students in Poti were joined by the undergraduates and faculty members. The students were very active and asked questions about the Mission and its activities on the ground, as well as 6-point ceasefire plan and its implementation. The discussions were lively and engaging. At the end of the session, Dr. Kand encouraged students to express their interests and become involved in discussions on the Mission, it mandate, as well as EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy. 

These public lectures are delivered under the Mission’s new Outreach project to university-level students and academic staff. Before Batumi and Poti Universities, the Mission provided presentations on the Mission and its mandate to the students of the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs in Tbilisi, Gori University, and the David Aghmashenebeli National Defence Academy of Georgia.