Georgia Today Education issue 15

EDUCATION www.georgiatoday.ge

Issue no: 015

facebook.com/ georgiatoday

• APRIL 2018

• PUBLISHED MONTHLY

PRICE: GEL 2

In this issue...

Festival in London to Screen 15 Georgian Award-winning Films PAGE 4

The Magic of Money & How We Protect It PAGE 5

GT Future Journalists Interview British Ambassador, Justin McKenzie Smith PAGE 7

Gulf Launches Book Collection for Schools & Libraries in the Regions

FOCUS

PAGE 9

ON GLOBAL UNITY

Georgian Actor Merab Ninidze to Appear in US Homeland TV Series

Aid from the Japanese, an interview with the British Ambassador and an educational adventure from Armenia to Scotland. We’re all about international relations in this issue!

Image source: dgetoturkiye.org

PAGE 15

French Embassy Runs Eurovision “Contest” for Georgian Youth

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s part of the final of Eurovision 2018 to be held in Lisbon on May 12, 2018, the French Embassy in Georgia and the French Institute of Georgia, in partnership with the travel agency Promethea and the Shota Rustaveli University of Theater and Cinema, organized a singing contest for Georgian French-speaking students from the age of 12-18.

Participants had to sing the song

“Mercy” of the French music group Madame Monsieur, which will be representing France for Eurovision 2018.

The contest took place on Tuesday, April 24 at the Shota Rustaveli Theater and Cinema University, in Tbilisi.

The winning student was awarded a French course at the French Institute of Georgia.

See the video clip of the song “Mercy” by Madame Monsieur here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=kT2G60kv4F0

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UN Expert: Inclusiveness of Older Persons in Georgia Must be a Priority Info Box

Image source: sciencenordic.com

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n independent expert from the United Nations (UN) has asked the Government of Georgia to “make it a top priority to ensure the inclusiveness and equality of older persons.”

Georgia is the most aged country in the South Caucasus region, with every 5th person aged 60 and over.

By 2050, the percentage of people over 60 in Georgia will rise to more than 30%.

“Population decline and an older society affects the human rights enjoyed by older persons,” Rosa

Kornfeld-Matte, the UN Independent Expert on the Human Rights of Older Persons, said at the end of her first official visit to Georgia.

“Older persons’ care needs to be improved. There is no good strategy on care and despite the statefunded Universal Health Programme, older persons usually still have to pay for their own medicines.”

“It is good that the Georgian government’s sees that the current pension is not enough, but more needs to be done to prevent old-age poverty, particularly among women,” the expert said.

Kornfeld-Matte welcomed the new

Dailycaring.com says that older people often feel depressed.

In serious cases, they should see a doctor. But you can help. Here are some tips: - Make them feel useful. Ask them to help you with small, easy jobs like preparing food or folding clothes.

- Make sure they exercise every day- short walks in the park, for example.

- Keep their brains busy. Books and puzzles are good.

- Get them involved in the community. Make sure they meet with friends and family often, have a hobby or help others.

National Action Plan for the implementation of the State Policy Concept on Population Ageing in Georgia.

During her 10-day visit, the expert met with various government authorities and civil society as

well as others working on the rights of older persons, and older persons themselves. A report on her findings and recommendations will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in September this year.

What’s That?

Priority – importance, top issue Ensure – guarantee Inclusiveness – that they are a part of society and the community Equality – treated the same as others Decline – reduction, the number is going down Human rights – the way you should live to be healthy and happy Improved – made better Strategy – plan State-funded – the government pays Prevent – stop Poverty – being poor, without enough money

Food for Thought  How do old people live in your community? What could make their lives better? How can YOU help? See the info box for ideas.

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Festival in London to Screen 15 Georgian Award-winning Films Info Box Find out more about the festival here: http://lifethroughcinema.com / index.html

BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES

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he London Georgian Film Festival will take place next month screening numerous award-winning Georgian films. There will be both Georgian classics and recently released works. There will also be discussions and debates with Georgian directors and actors.

The Regent Street Cinema, which showed the first motion picture in 1848, will host the festival from May 3-8. 15 Georgian movies will be shown over the six days of the festival.

Jason Osborn, Nina Andjaparidze,

and Keti Japaridze founded ‘Life Through Cinema,’ the association behind the organization of the film festival. The three movie enthusiasts organized the first festival in 2005 and repeated it every couple of years. 2018 is the 5th time the London Georgian Film Festival is on.

The movies are of different styles and eras, from the contemporary movie ‘My Happy Family’ by Simon Groß and Nana Ekvtimishvili, released only last year, to Nana Jorjadze’s ‘My English Grandfather’ from 1987 and Eldar Shengelaia’s ‘Blue Mountains, or an Unbelievable Story’ from 1983.

Dede, by Mariam Khatchvani, released last year, will also be shown.

Food for Thought  Which are your favorite Georgian films? Choose one and present it to your group.  Do modern Georgian films show good things about Georgia? Compare them to old Georgian films. What are the differences?

The film won the Jury prize at the Batumi International Arthouse Film Festival 2017, the UNESCO award at the Asia Pacific Screen awards 2017 and the Audience Award at the Montpelier Mediterranean Film Festival 2017.

The festival will also include various events showing Georgian culture, including wine and cheese tastings.

Jason Osborn says that this year’s festival comes 100 years since the first independence of Georgia.

“We’re going to show amazing footage called ‘The Independence Chronicles,’ showing the arrival of various European socialists – including Ramsay MacDonald – to Georgia and the handover of power from the French and the British to the Georgians in 1919 or 1920,” he says.

“I think the quality of these films gives a very European feel to Tbilisi and Georgia at that time. The first Republic only lasted three years, but one of the things that interests me about Georgia’s development is that it was always struggling to be more European than the Soviets wanted, and if you look at the last 20 years since the 1990s independence, you see that film-making has people’s freedoms. I think it is a become much more Western; much statement on how its culture was more interested in individuals and not lost; it fought on.”

What’s That?

Screening – showing (films) Released – made public, broadcast Host – house, present Enthusiasts – people who like (films) very much Footage – video Struggling – fighting

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FINANCIAL LITERACY Presented by

The Magic of Money & How We Protect It VERTICAL PROTECTIVE THREAD Turn the note over. Can you see the pink protective thread with the inscription “20 GEL”?

RELIEF PRINT Some parts of the pictures on notes are relief. Close your eyes and try to feel which parts are relief.

A SIGN FOR SHOPPERS WITH WEAK EYESIGHT On the front of the banknote, you’ll see three horizontal lines on the left and right edge. These are relief and help people know which banknote they are holding.

HOLOGRAM Notice the shiny parts on the front of your 20 GEL note? Chavchavadze’s face is there again, and the number 20.

What other designs can you see that are holographic? Can you see the rainbow colors when you move the note?

THE HIDDEN IMAGE

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ake out a 20 GEL banknote. Look at it closely.

You’ll see the design is more detailed than you might think.

Money is made this way for security, to stop people copying it.

The symbol of Georgian money is GEL. The concept of the Lari symbol is based on the Georgian alphabet letter “LAS”. Like all money in the world, the Georgian Lari also has its own protective symbols.

There are three types of symbol: 1) Designed for you and me, these make it easier for us to recognize which notes are which, which coins are which: numbers, colors and famous faces, for example.

2) The second category of symbol is made for people who work with money every day. For example, in a

shop or bank, the cashier might put your note under a purple UV light.

This shows symbols which you can’t see in normal light.

3) Protective symbols of the third category need a laboratory to be seen and are designed for experts.

There are invisible and visible symbols. The vertical protective thread, which is hidden inside the note and only shows under UV light, and marks which only react to chemicals in a laboratory, are invisible. The silver hologram, for example, is a visible security symbol and is part of the note and cannot be separated from it. You might also see or feel bumps on the notes and special written words or phrases. Markings which can be felt are good for people who have eyesight problems. Feel the big number 20 on a 20 Lari note- it’s round.

Under a UV light, you’ll see a hidden symbol which shows the value of the Now feel a 10 or 5 GEL note and banknote. explain the difference.

THE HIDDEN DYE Let’s look at a 20 GEL banknote.

For experts in a lab: special chemicals can be used to change the color of the WATERMARK The watermark, an almost-invisible note from purple to green if it is real. picture of Ilia Chavchavadze, is in the top-left corner. Under him you’ll see the number ‘20’ and the symbol for Lari.

The article uses materials from the National Bank’s website and the School Bank textbook prepared by the National Bank.

Food for Thought  Do you have a 5 GEL, 10 GEL note, or a banknote from another country? Find the security symbols.  Look at the important people shown on the Lari banknotes. What do you know about them? Why were they chosen as the “faces” of Georgia? Who would YOU choose to put on a banknote?

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Japan Buys Georgia a New Fire-Engine & Will Help Build a New Kindergarten

BY MÁTÉ FÖLDI

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n March 14, an agreement was signed for the Government of Japan to finance two projects in Georgia as part of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

A second- hand fire engine will be given to the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) for Tbilisi; and for World Vision Georgia, the Japanese government will pay for the construction of a kindergarten in Mokhe village, Adigeni Municipality.

There are thousands of fires each year in Tbilisi, with approximately one-tenth of them happening in tall buildings. The fire engine will be for the Isani-Samgori area, but can be used anywhere in Tbilisi. The

Japanese Embassy’s funding for this project is $99,733.

The second project, by World Vision Georgia, is the construction of a kindergarten in Mokhe village, giving children of 340 Georgian Muslim families in eight villages access to education. This will be the first kindergarten in the area since people started to live there in 1944. The Japanese Embassy is giving $66,395 for the project.

“This is the second time we have been given funding by the Japanese Embassy in the last three years,” said Ekaterine Zhvania, Country Program Direct of World Vision Georgia. “The first time we built a potable water system for remote villages in the Samstkhe-Javakheti region, where, before, people had to collect water from rain and natural springs. In the new project, the local government will give 50% to

Food for Thought  What is missing in the area you live? What projects could improve the lives of the people living near you?  In the text it says there are thousands of fires in Tbilisi every year. What causes fires? Do you know what to do if you see a fire?

Info Box The Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects helps small projects to improve the living standards of the Georgian people and to promote education and culture. It is used for projects related to health, education, social protection, agriculture, environment, poverty reduction and culture.

Since 1998, 163 GGP projects have been financed in Georgia by the Government of Japan, totaling $16,642,524. the construction budget of the kindergarten, which will be designed to meet international standards and will be able to help children with special needs.

Mr. Tadaharu Uehara, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Georgia, thanked

the Emergency Management Agency and World Vision Georgia for their work.

“These are well-planned projects.

The financing for these projects has come from the Japanese people to help Georgian communities and society.”

What’s That?

Finance – give money for Second-hand – not new, used before Construction – building Potable – you can drink Remote – isolated, not near others Budget – planned money for a specific project

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GT Future Journalists Interview British Ambassador, Justin McKenzie Smith

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he Future Journalist competition gives G e o r g i a n yo u t h throughout the country the chance to showcase their journalistic skills in three stages, with the ultimate prize a two-week English and Journalism course in the UK this summer.

Organized by Georgia Today Education and supported by UK Bridge, the competition aims to discover the best future journalists in Georgia.

The first of three interviews saw the jury-selected three under-17s, two from Gori and one from Tbilisi, meeting the British Ambassador, who kindly agreed to let them ask him his thoughts and ideas on a variety of topics. After the interview, the students wrote up their interviews in their own styles and a jury made up of English language experts and professional journalists and marketers chose one winner who will go through to the final round to interview the Prime Minister of Georgia. See the winning interview and excerpts from the runner interviews below.

Interview by Mariam Makhviladze, winner Mr. Justin Mckenzie Smith has been the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UK to Georgia since 2016. Before he held the post of UK Ambassador in Georgia, he worked in a number of different countries as a diplomat.

Within the competition “Future Journalist,” on April 3, GEORGIA TODAY met him for an interview about the cultural, educational and diplomatic relations between the UK and Georgia, and to find out his feelings about the Georgian people, traditions and sights.

I like the whole of Georgia. Tbilisi is amazing, I really like Kakheti, and the north of Georgia is also very beautiful, so it’s a tall order to say which is best. There are also a lot of Georgian traditions I like, for example the supra (feasting) tradition. I like traditional songs too, but I think the most important Georgian tradition is tolerance.

HAVE YOU DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIPS WITH ANYONE FROM THE NON-POLITICAL SECTOR IN GEORGIA?

COUNTRIES DID YOU WORK AND WHAT DID YOU DO THERE?

with numerous activities ongoing between the Georgian and British Armed Forces. So, in every case, I I’ve been a diplomat for 24 years. see a really active and positive relaIn that time, I’ve worked in the UK tionship. and Russia as a British Ambassador, in New York at the United Nations, HOW DO YOU TRY TO and in Mexico City at the British PROMOTE THE BRITISH CULTURE IN GEORGIA? Embassy.

We do that together with our partner organization, the British CounA LARGE NUMBER OF cil, which runs six English clubs in STUDENTS RECEIVE AN the regions of Georgia. We work EDUCATION IN THE UK. HOW DO THEY MANAGE together to promote British culture through the English language, TO STUDY THERE? There are several ways. For 25 years, through student scholarships, and this Embassy has been supporting also by supporting connections the Chevening Scholarship, and between Georgian society and Britevery year we send between 15-20 ish society. We have twinning relabrilliant Georgian students to the tionships between some of our citUK to do Master’s Degrees. The ies, between Tbilisi and Bristol, Georgian government also provides Kutaisi and Newport. I think that scholarships to students and some is fantastic because they are about people are able to study there off education, sport and culture and I their own backs. For me, education hope we will do more in the future.

WITH WHICH MINISTRIES OF GEORGIA DOES THE BRITISH EMBASSY I was lucky to come to Georgia for HAVE RELATIONS?

BEFORE YOU ARRIVED IN GEORGIA, IN WHICH

Excerpt from an interview by Giorgi Giorgadze, runner-up

GEORGIAN PARLIAMENT CHANGED THE CONSTITUTION, MAKING GEORGIA A PARLIAMENTARY REPUBLIC AND MEANING THE PRESIDENT WILL BE ELECTED BY LAWMAKERS. WHAT IS YOUR OPINION? WILL IT RAISE THE DEGREE OF DEMOCRACY IN GEORGIA?

Well, there’s democracy in Georgia already. The constitutional changes are for the Georgian people to decide.

It is a Georgian choice; people elect is a really important part of our Excerpt of an interview by Elene Parliament. relationship and I support it very, Piralishvili, runner-up very strongly. The British education WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE system is one of the best in the TELL US YOUR FAVORITE world.

PLANS ONCE YOUR TERM

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION OF GEORGIA?

the first time in 1999. I found it a fascinating, welcoming and beautiful country. I got a good impression of the Georgian people, who were so welcoming to me on my first visit.

I know many Georgian people from business and government, but I don’t know many non-political people from Georgia. I wish I did, as I enjoy talking with people who aren’t in politics, especially the young because they are the future of the country.

Our partnership with Georgia is a political partnership but it also includes lots of other issues, for example: trade, business, education, economics and finance are all very important. We meet with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regularly, and we have a very close relationship with the Ministry of Defense,

PLACE IN GEORGIA AND YOUR FAVORITE GEORGIAN TRADITION

IN GEORGIA ENDS? I don’t know yet. But I want to see more of Georgia before I go!

Aged 13-16? Want your chance to grab a two-week language and journalism course in the UK? Send 10 questions in English that you would ask First Lady Maka Chihua by April 30 2018. If you’re chosen by the GT jury, you will interview the First Lady in person with three other potential winners. If your written interview wins, you will go through to the last stage of the competition to interview Prime Minister Kvirikashvili. The winner of that last writing competition goes to the UK this summer! Send YOUR questions to info@georgiatoday.ge

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Info Box Cerebral Palsy is the result of a brain injury or when the brain doesn’t develop correctly when a baby is growing.

It makes it difficult for the person to control their muscles and may affect their academic development, sight or hearing. Every case is different. Walking, sitting, or tying shoes may be difficult for some, while others might have difficulty holding objects. Carebral Palsy does not get worse and it can’t be cured. It can’t be spread from one person to another.

Food for Thought  Why did the Tbilisi Mayor introduce new laws to stop people trading on the street? Why might food sold on the street (not in official shops) be bad?  Some people read this story and say Gigi should be in school, not selling juice. What do you think?

BY THEA MORRISON

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bilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has given 1 5-year-old Gigi Antidze a stand in Mziuri Park, in the

Tbilisi Mayor Gives Trading Booth to 15-YearOld Juice-Maker center of Tbilisi.

Gigi has cerebral palsy but despite this, he has been selling fresh juices on Rustaveli Avenue to help get money for his family.

The Mayor learned about the teenager after local media made a news story about him, informing people that Gigi will not be able to continue selling juice on the street because of new laws that the Mayor had

introduced to stop street trading.

Kaladze said the Mayor’s Office could not let the boy work in the street but promised to find an alternative place for him.

From now on, Gigi will be working in Mziuri Park, offering people fresh juices and other ready-products.

“Gigi is happy with his new stand.

I wish him success in all his initiatives and activities,” the Mayor said.

What’s That?

Stand – place for showing or selling products Street trading – selling products on the street Let – permit, allow

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Gulf Launches Book Collection for Schools & Libraries in the Regions What’s That?

Launched – started Regional – not in the towns or cities Raise – increase, make better Essential – very important, necessary Develop – improve, make better Renovating – making new

BY NIA PATARAIA

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rom March 29, Gulf, with the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, launched the project “Tsignieri”. To collect

books for regional schools and libraries at all Gulf petrol stations. Gulf will also give free petrol to schools in the mountain areas of Georgia: places where it is difficult for teachers and school students to travel.

The project is big and everyone is welcome to give books. Gulf and

Info Box Watch the video about the project: https://www.facebook. com/okmagazinege/videos/2060120537337143/

the National Library want to raise the education level in the regions, for which it is essential to develop libraries by renovating and modernizing their book collections, and to supply schools with the latest books.

Books collected at the launching presentation were sent to the Tsilkani library, while schools in Pshavi and Gurdukhi will be the first to be given free petrol. The National Library will send out books to schools and libraries every month.

Food for Thought  Is your school library or community library good? What could make it better?  How can books help to raise the education level of people?

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GZAAT, MCC Develop Online Courses for Teachers ate motivating learning environments and how to drive teachers’ professional development. The other six courses are for training teachers of Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Science, Geography and English.

These courses will help teachers of these subjects to understand how to use innovative methods, how to plan their lessons, and how to use the resources wisely.

HOW WILL THE COURSE BE ROLLED OUT?

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he United States of America, acting through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) on 26 July, 2013 signed a five-year, $140 million compact with the Government of Georgia to advance economic growth and reduce poverty in Georgia. One of its aims is to convert and adapt nine face-to-face teacher training modules into nine online courses so that Grade 7-12 STEM teachers across Georgia can have access to professional development and training. We spoke to Simon Janashia, project leader at the Guivy Zaldastanishvili American Academy in Tbilisi (GZAAT) to find out more.

WHERE DID THE INSPIRATION COME FROM TO SET UP THIS PROJECT? CAN YOU COMMENT ON THE NEEDS OF THE EDUCATION SECTOR IN GEORGIA? GZAAT was established with the mission to not only educate the best and the brightest students who study in this school, but also to help Georgian educators to develop innovative

GZAAT will hand over these courses to the National Teacher Professional Center of Georgia, which is going to be running them. It is intended that these online courses will have a “blended” component. This means that the online interaction will be followed by face to face meetings where teachers will complement their learning with activities that would not be possible in the virtual environment.

Simmons College, Boston. The technical guru of the project, Lasha Kokilashvili, had his graduate studies at Simmons College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Second, this team has a profound knowledge of the audience of the courses. The GZAAT team has extensive experience training teachers, organizing and conducting conferences, and working with their peers on both an organizational and national level.

The team has also worked on development of the National Curriculum of Georgia, teacher professional development standards and other national policy issues in education.

WHAT EXPERTISE CAN Third, the team has a unique knowlGZAAT BOAST TO edge of designing and using e-learnEXPLAIN WHY IT IS ing platforms in their daily profesBEING DEVELOPED AT sional life. Using electronic learning YOUR ACADEMY? The GZAAT team has several advan- management systems is part of the tages. First, they have advanced edu- GZAAT curriculum. cation in the field of pedagogy, teaching and learning, and education THERE ARE NINE policy from the best US higher edu- COURSES IN THE cation institutions. The manager of PROJECT. WHAT the project is a graduate of Harvard ARE THEY? Graduate School and Teachers Col- Three out of nine courses cover lege, Columbia University. Curricu- general pedagogical questions of lum designer Ilia Mestvirishvili has how to teach our students, how to a graduate degree in education from effectively assess them, how to creand quality methods of education.

For this purpose, GZAAT received substantial support from the US Government to educate and support its teachers. Based on this initial mission, in 2014 GZAAT started to develop online courses for both teachers and students. When MCA announced it was looking for a company to develop online courses for teacher training, GZAAT staff who were leading the development of the online course felt it was a perfect opportunity to share what they had learned.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND WHAT WILL GZAAT’S INVOLVEMENT BE ONCE THE COURSES ARE UPAND-RUNNING? The primary interest of GZAAT is to help Georgian teachers get access to quality training resources. The introduction of the online teacher training courses may facilitate the introduction of e-learning in the Georgian education system in general. This could have many potential benefits. Experience of online learning could help teachers to be open to the existing and future online resources that can greatly enrich their teaching environment. Online learning could solve some of the problems of shortage and unequal distribution of professional expertise of teachers in Georgian schools.

GZAAT will continue developing the online courses beyond this project. This project will pave the way for their future development and will expand the capacity of the Georgian education system to accept and absorb the electronic means of distance education.

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Success for IB Mthiebi at National High School Model UN 2018 Info Box 2018 is the 45th year of the National High School Model United Nations (NHSMUN) Conference. The largest high school conference in the world, NHSMUN 2019’s two sessions will host 5000 participants from more than 75 countries and 300 schools. NHSMUN is known for its diverse, prestigious attendees, world-class staff, proven substantive excellence, and accurate, engaging committee simulations. Held at the United Nations Headquarters and the New York Hilton Midtown, NHSMUN exposes students to high-profile, relevant United Nations figures, including a visit to the ambassadors or representatives of the Permanent Mission of the countries they are representing. It also teaches our future leaders about the United Nations and the international community.

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he IB Mthiebi Boarding School successfully participated in the National High School Model United Nations 2018 (NHSMUN) in New

York.

NHSMUN is a student simulation of the proceedings of the United Nations. It was held in New York at the United Nations Headquarters and at the Hilton Hotel Midtown

What’s That?

Simulation – copy, pretend situation Proceedings – how they work Conferences – meeting Participants – people doing the activity Unique – special Challenge – difficult, hard to do Debate – talk, argue about Negotiation – talk about to reach an agreement Consensus – agreement

Manhattan.

NHSMUN is one of the best-recognized conferences of MUN and the largest conference for high school students, with 2,000 students attending from more than 50 countries. The students of IB Mthiebi Boarding School, Tbilisi, presented the Georgian Delegation.

The participants found it a unique experience and a new challenge. IB Mthiebi students had a two-month intensive preparation course before and, at the conference, were given a country to represent in one of the UN’s commit-

tees and topics to debate.

The students of IB Mthiebi Boarding School researched the background of their country, their country’s position on the topics, and prepared notes on possible solutions to the problems. Like the real UN, students had to debate global problems and try to find solutions by negotiation and consensus.

The simulation ended with a special session at the UN Headquarters, where students sat in the famous General Assembly Hall that has hosted many of the most important heads of state.

Food for Thought  Have a debate. Choose an important problem in society (you can choose from this newspaper- for example, cigarette advertising or old people in society) and talk about ways to solve it. Some of you should be the government, some the victims (children/old people) and some the companies or non-government organizations.

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From Tbilisi to Edinburgh through Dilijan: a Georgian Student on his Success Story makes you a part of a bigger movement that aims at developing the town, the country and, in many ways, the whole region. We were constantly surrounded with people from all over the world, slowly reshaping our understanding of the world, borders, illusive separations between all the nations and many other ideas that come up whilst living in such an international community – 200 people from over 70 countries.

BY LIKA CHIGLADZE

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tudying abroad is the dream of many youth in Georgia, but due to high costs many students cannot afford it. For passionate young students who want to advance their knowledge and skills in an international environment, UWC (United World Colleges) is an ideal choice as a global education movement that unites people, nations and cultures. Incorporating 17 colleges worldwide, UWC was established by German educator and philosopher Kurt Hahn in 1962 in Wales when he founded the first college, UWC Atlantic. The college aimed to unite youth from around the world, helping peace building; paving students’ way to success and helping them to enter world-leading universities. The enrollment and selection process is done in each country separately and then the students are distributed among the 17 colleges.

Alexandre Chkheidze, 20, from Georgia, graduated UWC Dilijan and now studies Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. We asked Alexandre to share his success and experience with us.

and still a bit unknown.

HOW DID YOU GET ACCEPTED AT UWC DILIJAN? The first stage of the selection process was filling out an online application, where you are asked a bunch of questions aimed at defining your core values and aspirations in life.

The second stage was a Skype interview in English with two members of our national committee. I passed to the third and final stage of the selection process, where you get to meet all the other finalists and spend the day doing different group and individual activities. A week later, I got an email saying I’d been selected for UWC Dilijan.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO STUDY AT UWC DILIJAN WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO AND HOW DID YOU STUDY IN ARMENIA LEARN ABOUT UWC? Living and studying abroad had AND AT UWC DILIJAN been a plan for a long time. Then IN PARTICULAR? my friend found this network of international schools and after going through the selection process and being awarded a scholarship, she went to UWC Atlantic in Wales. It didn’t take me long to realise the value of studying in such an international environment with the values that the UWC movement promotes, would be too big an opportunity to miss, and I applied the following year. I guess I was tempted to try because the movement is so idealistic, wide-spread

Reading about the brand-new international school located in the mountainous national park got me quite excited. I lived there for two years and it shaped my perception of the region where I come from and raised my awareness of numerous geopolitical and historical issues related to this part of the world. Located in Armenia, UWC Dilijan promotes and raises awareness about the whole region and there was certainly a parallel role for all of us from the Caucasus to not only learn

WHAT CHALLENGES WERE THERE GETTING INTO EDINBURGH about Armenia but also to introduce UNIVERSITY AND HOW this part of the world to others.

Dilijan is quite unique- a small DID STUDYING AT four-season resort town located in UWC DILIJAN HELP? magnificent scenery. You can do a variety of sports, such as skiing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, sailing, climbing, caving and more.

The fact that it is located so close to Georgia also enabled me to go home for long weekends. An indispensable benefit was my being awarded a Scholae-Mundi scholarship to study at the University of Edinburgh. This particular scholarship was provided only at UWCD. However, being a part of the UWC network, there were numerous other opportunities in terms of being funded to study abroad, particularly in the US. Studying in this college

If I had finished a public school in Georgia, I would have had to pass some additional exams and gained many extra qualifications for Edinburgh to recognize my diploma and consider me a candidate. However, the UWC network is popular with many universities and therefore it acts as a privilege to have it on your application. Moreover, I can see how I find many things much easier in terms of both academics and independent living. One of the biggest factors is obviously the fact that I’m being funded and otherwise would not have a chance to study at this particular university.

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Georgian School Kids Targeted

by Global Tobacco Companies Out of 640 stores within the 250meter radius, 512 sold tobacco, but just 13 stores showed the health messages required by the Georgian Ministry of Health.

When asked whether we should blame tobacco companies or the stores, Josh Abrams, Director of Eurasia Programs for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, says: “Targeting children around schools, playgrounds and other child-friendly spaces is a tactic used by global tobacco companies to get new customers. We have evidence that shops closer to schools and other childfriendly places are often paid money or given free products to put up advertisements.”

In stores, cigarettes are often placed in easy-to-see places and even near sweets and snacks which children like to buy. Sometimes, tobacco companies pay the store to show

BY BENJAMIN MUSIC

M

ost people know that smoking is bad for your health, leading to risks of cancers, heart diseases, and breathing problems, but it seems children can still buy or smoke cigarettes and tobacco companies can advertise their cigarettes near schools. The Non-Governmental Organization, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in the United States of America, has started a new international project to show what the tobacco companies are doing and to stop them offering cigarettes to children.

A study by the Institute of Global

Tobacco Control at John Hopkins University (US) shows that Georgia is among 22 countries in the world where young school children can see tobacco products near their schools. Philipp Morris International, British American Tobacco, Japan Tobacco International and Imperial Brands are the major tobacco companies offering cigarettes which 20% of the people in the world smoke every day.

“Philip Morris and British American Tobacco brands can be seen on sale near Georgian elementary schools. It is proof that these companies are targeting young children, often in countries where laws are weak,” said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The tobacco

What’s That?

Targeting – focusing on Weak – not strong Proof – evidence Deny – say it is not true Displayed – showing Tactic – method, way Ban – make illegal, stop Strict – serious, strongly controlled

Info Box So what can we do? Teachers and parents can help their children by pushing the government to make strict laws for tobacco companies to stop them marketing their products to children. “Teachers, parents, and students can also visit www.takeapart.org/tiny-targets to download an app where they can report tobacco companies targeting kids in their own neighborhood,” says Abrams. companies deny the allegations.

A report on tobacco marketing in Georgia published by John Hopkins looked at school buildings in the Tbilisi area and found hundreds of stores which have cigarette advertisements displayed. The report says that such stores should not be within 250 meters of a school.

their brand with light-up signs.

“The Georgian government changed the tobacco control law last year to ban tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

They need to work fast to make sure the changes are successful after the law starts in May 2018,” Abrams insists.

Food for Thought  Look at the shops near your community school(s). Are cigarettes shown? Do they have health warnings or age restrictions?  Make a poster, game or small theater show to tell people about the dangers of smoking.

EDUCATION

GEORGIA TODAY APRIL 2018

15

Info Box

Georgian Actor Merab Ninidze to Appear in US Homeland TV Series

BY THEA MORRISON

F

amous Georgian actor Merab Ninidze will appear in the 7th season of the popular American TV series Homeland.

The IMDb has already added him to the cast list.

Merab Ninidze was born on November 3, 1965, in Tbilisi.

Parents: Manana Akhaladze and Nugzar Ninidze. He studied at the first school of Tbilisi and the Pioneers’ Palace.

His grandfather, Sergo Akhaladze, was a director, so Merab spent a lot of his childhood in the theater. After graduating from school, he continued his studies at the Tbilisi Theater Institute in Gizo Jordania’s workshop. In 1979, he pupil played Prince Edward’s role in Robert Sturua’s performance “Richard III”. He graduated from the Institute in 1986. From 1986 to 1991 he played at the Rustaveli State Academic Theater in Tbilisi. He moved to Austria in 1994 and he now lives and works in Vienna and Berlin.

The Georgian actor is participating in the 9th episode of Season 7 ‘Useful Idiot,’ where he plays a senior Russian intelligence chief. We’ll only get to hear his voice, but in the next series, the audience will see him in different scenes of the series. ber of the Russian Mafia. The new Ninidze was also in the UK’s BBC series was aired this winter on BBC crime drama series McMafia, in One. the role of Vadim Kalyagin, a mem- Homeland it is an American spy thriller television series developed

by Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa based on the Israeli series Prisoners of War, which was created by

What’s That?

Participating – joining Plays – acts as Crime drama – a dramatic story about solving a crime Role – part (character in a story) Aired – broadcast Bipolar – an illness Volatile – unstable, dramatic Unpredictable – you don’t know what she will do next Prestigious – important PUBLISHER & GM

George Sharashidze COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT

Commercial Director: Iva Merabishvili Marketing Manager: Salome Vashalomidze

GEORGIA TODAY

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT:

Editor-In-Chief: Katie Ruth Davies

Journalists: Tony Hanmer, Zaza Jgarkava, Maka Bibilashvili, Dimitri Dolaberidze, Maka Lomadze, Joseph Larsen, Vazha Tavberidze, Nugzar B. Ruhadze, Nino Gugunishvili, Thea Morrison Photographer: Irakli Dolidze

Gideon Raff. It follows CIA officer Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes), top in her field despite being bipolar, making her volatile and unpredictable.

The series has received positive reviews and has won several prestigious awards.

Food for Thought  Merab Ninidze has played two Russian characters, though he is Georgian. Some people think this is bad.

Why?  Do you like crime dramas? Why (not)?  Who are your favorite Georgian actors/actresses? Choose one and write about them.

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