Open Society Georgia Foundation published a statement noting the NGOs to visit Washington.
On July 12-16, representatives of the Open Society Foundations, Transparency International Georgia, ISFED, The Economic Policy Research Center, and Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies (Rondeli Foundation) will hold meetings in Washington with the US Department of State, Senate, USAID, Atlantic Council. With representatives of the Heritage Foundation, Freedom House, the Helsinki Committee, the Center for European Policy Analysis, and other analytical organizations.
Along with non-governmental organizations, meetings will be attended by Nino Zhizhilashvili, Dean of Caucasus School of Media at Caucasus University, and host of the TV Formula Talk Show.
As statement notes, meetings will focus on recent developments in Georgia, the quality of democracy, and development prospects, where the degree of media freedom and the independence of the judiciary plays a key role.
Organizations prepared discussion topics a few weeks ago: corruption challenges and anti-corruption policies, justice reforms, offshore companies registered in Georgia – opacity of owners and businesses, political and electoral process, media environment, and state security.
Representatives of the participating organizations hope that the vision of the civil society sector on these issues will be a credible alternative source of information for the United States, which will further assist them in setting the agenda and prioritizing issues for Georgia.
By Ketevan Skhirtladze
