What our means of mass communication are doggedly feeding us on an everyday basis, and accordingly shaping our mindset, is not what we actually represent, and here is the proof: two young Georgians have recently conquered the international arena with their wit, talent and professionalism, and this can only be symptomatic. This is what we, as a nation, are all about: not the everyday senseless and cantankerous political bickering we the people are forced into listening to against our will.
The summit on world diplomacy and healthcare policies was recently held again in Dubai, under the title of ‘Best Diplomats 2023’. This is an annual conference, comprising about 100 countries of six continents, and using as regular venues five spots: New York, Malaysia, the Philippines, Istanbul and Dubai. This year’s summit lasted three days, and was packed with a plethora of activities, cultural programs and national exhibitions. Georgia was represented by only two delegates: the junior of the Caucasus University political and international relations department Nodar Bokeria, and his business partner, Doctor Giorgi Bokeria (not related), a doctoral student of healthcare policy, representing the international medical association ‘Doctors Without Borders’.
The worldwide selection of candidates for participation in the Summit was conducted in two stages: First, based on a letter of motivation plus the resume, and second, a scientific paper and the resolution thereof, to be presented to the conference while in session. Both Georgian delegates passed those two stages more than successfully, after which they received the invitation from Dubai to the Summit. In his thesis, Giorgi accentuated the current problems in world healthcare politics, such as poverty, lack of medical service in the countries where people need it most, assistance to people who have suffered as a consequence of wars and conflicts, adequate provision of medical services for those suffering in war zones. Nodar Bokeria’s report at both sessions of the conference touched upon current topical problems of the Georgian Republic in the global context, the review of democracy in the United States and Europe, human rights, and Georgia’s strategic development.
By the vote of the majority of the attending conference delegates and based on the decision of a jury of professionals, the grand pris for the title of the World’s Best Young Diplomat went to Nodar Bokeria, representing Georgia, while in the field of healthcare, the title of Best Leader and Negotiator was awarded to Giorgi Bokeria.
This nation should be proud of these two boys, still diligently sitting at their university desks, stubbornly determined to achieve the career heights any young man or a woman would dream of in any part of the world. The Dubai summit was a huge experience for them in their salad years. Isn’t it amazing that at this age of personal and professional immaturity, one can be capable of demonstrating full-fledged maturity in the field one is trying to master with nerve and zeal, thus proving to your country, your friends and relatives, colleagues, and, of course, to your own proud and responsible self that you can without doubt make it to the better end? Things like this do not happen accidentally. It takes a lot of investment– time, energy, talent, knowledge, skill and, finally, youth, but all is definitely worth it, because this is exactly where the future of this nation is being carved and tempered.
Georgia has that much and that qualitative resources and potential. What is left though is to know the cache where that genuine and ready-for-action talent is deposited and poised for further deeds to the benefit of our people; not forcing them to seek out a life outside of this country to serve other nations’ vested interests, but encouraging them to give their talent and energy to their native land. And for this to happen, in the first place, we have to identify all of them, pin down with precision what they are good at, and give them the chance they deserve to have. Giorgi and Nodar Bokeria are young Georgian men with a tremendous resolve and valuable expertise to serve as a perfect example to their deserving peers, just as gifted and strong-minded as they are. Sakartvelo, please don’t let them abandon their beloved land and people! You need them badly!
Blog by Nugzar B. Ruhadze
