EYP Georgia’s journey — Stories From Georgia
By Ann Tsurtsumia-Zurabashvili — EYP alumna, co-founder of EYP Georgia
We’re commited to using the #EYP platform to shed light on critical issues. We thank Ann Tsurtsumia-Zurabashvili for sharing her story with us. #YoungEurope
Eighteen years ago, when I participated in my first EYP session, I felt that Georgia was largely unknown within the network. However, I saw EYP as integral to Georgia’s European journey, where young Georgians could debate European issues with their peers, explore different cultures, make friends, and invite EYPers from other countries to witness a European Georgia. Soon after, we felt so much support during the August war in 2008 when we had to cancel the first ever regional session of EYP Georgia.
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Since the establishment of the Georgian chapter of the network, more than 10,000 Georgian youngsters have participated in EYP events. EYP Georgia has twice hosted the most significant event of the network, the International Session, in Tbilisi. At the same time, throughout my EYP experience, I have made friends with EYPers from countries where EYP was outlawed, where EYPers were prosecuted, and we have witnessed what happens to EYP in undemocratic environments or where Russian-style laws are enacted.
It’s not just about EYP Georgia being unable to organize events after the Russian law comes into force in Georgia; it is an indication of our deviation from the European path and leaving our youth without opportunities of receiving quality education, enjoy freedoms and basic human rights. Eighteen years ago, I could only dream about Georgia’s European perspective and candidate status, and we could have been opening accession negotiations by now standing by Ukraine and Moldova. This was the big dream of why we wanted to be part of the EYP family, why we wanted to debate EU policy issues, and bring Georgian dances to the Euro village. Today, we are facing the possibility of being cut off from the community we belong to.
