EDUCATION Issue no: 018
www.georgiatoday.ge
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• NOVEMBER 2018
• PUBLISHED MONTHLY
PRICE: GEL 2
In this issue...
FOCUS
Georgian Teachers to See Long Awaited Salary Raise
ON EDUCATION REFORMS
PAGE 4
Welcome to the Bank
We speak to Minister Batiashvili to find out his plans for Georgia’s education reform
PAGE 5
New Project Helps Pensioners Build Computer Skills PAGE 8
Dancing ‘The Other Way’ PAGE 10
Georgian Food Celebrated in Germany PAGE 13
A Business in Focus: The Moxy Hotel PAGE 15
Photo source: Entrepreneur Georgia
Guram Kashia & Locomotive Speak Out against Bullying
BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE
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t the beginning of November, Georgian football player Guram Kashia and players for the Tbilisi Locomotive football team visited the British-Georgian Academy in Tbilisi to talk with students about bullying and to promote the campaign “ძლიერები არ ძალადობენ” (dzlierebi ar dzaladoben - the strong do not bully).
Kashia spoke about his childhood when he was a victim of school-yard bullies. At the time, sports were not cool and Kashia’s love for football was ridiculed. The “cool” kids would stand at the cafeteria doors and force other students to pay them money to enter. Kashia said that he was not popular, had few friends and was afraid to stand up to the bullies. He would tell his parents he was sick so he could stay home from school and avoid them. “When I was at school in the 1990s, there were no conversations about bullying, and parents and children thought bullying and physical fights were normal and even healthy for young boys,” he said.
Kashia said he never told his parents or younger brother about the bullies, worried that they would not take his fears seriously and tell him to fight back. “I regret that and wish I had told my brother so we could have stood up to the bullies together,” he said. The football star’s final piece of advice to the kids was to talk with someone about their feelings, to tell an adult if they are being bullied and to talk to friends. He even offered to talk with the students through his personal Instagram account if they did not feel comfortable talking to other adults about bullying. Kashia is the vice-captain of the Georgian national football team and
plays for the San Jose Earthquakes in California, USA. In August, he was awarded UEFA’s #EqualGame Award for his support of the LGBT community on the football field. Kashia won the award for taking a courageous public stand for equality. While playing for Dutch SBV Vitesse last season, he joined other team captains by wearing a rainbow armband, signifying support for the LGBT community. After winning the award, Kashia said “I believe in equality for everyone, no matter what you believe in, who you love or who you are...I will always defend equality and equal rights for everyone, wherever I play.”
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Minister of Education: National, Cultural Values Meet Modern, Innovative Education BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE
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ntrepreneur Georgia magazine and education reporter Nato Ingorokva spoke to the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports Mikheil Batiashvili about his plans for Georgia’s education system. “I’m inspired every day by an encounter I had several years ago,” he said. “One morning, on the way to work, I shared the lift with my neighbor’s young son. I asked if he was happy to go to school,” Batiashvili explained. “He responded with childish honesty: ‘Do you think any kid is happy to go to school?’ These words are still in my mind today.” When asked why he accepted the position of Minister, he pointed to his experience in education, which includes working as an associate professor, the establishment of ‘Silicon Valley Tbilisi’, and founding and leading the University of Business and Technology. Batiashvili said that, “Problems and challenges in the system were not really strange for me. When you can look at a situation close to your heart from the outside, you can see the shortcomings more clearly. I have talked over these issues with my colleagues, Georgian and foreign, many times, and when I was offered a ministerial position, I really wanted to take part in the reforms needed for the education system. When you don’t like something, and you have a chance to improve it, you shouldn’t wait for someone else to take responsibility for it.” In mid-September, the government announced a new strategy for the education system. To counter problems facing Georgia, such as occupied territories, poverty and social problems, “Modernizing the system of education, the development and introduction of a strong fundamental educational system, is the main precondition,” Bakhtadze said while presenting the new strategy. “Sometimes I think the reforms have come late as the children have developed a lot of skills themselves. Our goal is to make our students more successful through the reforms, to let them be innovative, learn team work, create projects. The most
important thing you can do in the field of education is to take a child from creativity to a desire to gain knowledge. This is our goal.” Batiashvili noted that the government recognizes the significance of education. “The priority is to help the public see that education will give you a decent life, to believe that the knowledge and skills you get at school or university will help you in future.” He also noted that there are urgent problems, including textbooks full of mistakes, which he promised will be remedied in the near future. The Minister addressed one of the biggest issues in the Georgian education system: teachers. The “profession of teaching should not be chosen only because a person can’t find any other job. When you love what you do, you will pass this love to others. Teaching is a very difficult job, so the choice should be thought out carefully. Of course, this hard work should be appreciated in terms of salary and social status. We have said that by 2022, the minimum teacher’s salary should be 1500 GEL. It is very important to attract new people to the profession.” Currently, the average teacher’s salary is around 500 GEL ($185) a month. He also emphasized that “no school environment, no modern technologies, can produce the desired result if the educational system has been deprived of values. The teacher must be the one who, along with academic knowledge, teaches students values by personal example or through the development of different skills...otherwise a better society cannot develop.” “It is important not to lose cultural values, legacy or national identity,” the Minister told Entrepreneur Georgia. “We plan to implement various projects together with the National Museum. Museums are centers of education in developed countries. We want to introduce practical lessons in geography and history to our school children, bringing them closer to their cultural heritage. Our reform stands on two bases: national, cultural values and modern, innovative education.” In 2019, a new model of learning, combining international best practices with the Georgian environment, along with Georgian scientific and
GEORGIA TODAY
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Photo source: Entrepreneur Georgia
pedagogical experience, will be launched in 50 public schools. By 2030, the new model will be fully adopted by more than 2,000 schools. On the initiative of the Minister of Education, some of the pilot schools in Georgia have already started testing an online school platform. Online School is an application which connects the school principals, teachers, parents and the representatives of the ministry in one space. Pupils’ academic attendance is rated in an app. The teacher’s journal will go digital and parents will be able to see their children’s attendance and ratings. The goal of online school is to increase the engagement of parents in the learning process. Also, it will
allow the ministry to easily turn the data into statistics and to plan future reforms. “We should not resist technologies, but should turn them into a way to help,” Batiashvili said. Phase 2 of the reforms will be implemented in 2020-2023. Joint programs with international universities will be introduced and the number of foreign students in Georgia will increase by 50,000. “The goal of our team is to adapt children to the modern environment and its requirements; to let them learn the latest technological achievements; to let the teacher become a real facilitator between the students and new technologies.”
What’s That? Encounter – meeting Shortcomings – weaknesses, failings Counter – fight, work to change Precondition – requirement, necessity Significance – importance Decent – quality, good Remedied – fixed, solved Appreciated – valued Deprived – reduced, taken Implement – start, introduce Combining – uniting, joining Launched – started Adopted – taken on, used Engagement – interest and involvement
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2018 Youth Summit for Schools
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he USAID Program, Waste Management Technology in the Regions, Phase II (USAID WMTR II/ CENN), has announced an open call for school students from the regions of Kakheti, Adjara, Shida Kartli and the city of Tbilisi to participate in a youth summit.
OBJECTIVES OF THE YOUTH SUMMIT: • To unite active, determined and motivated school students from the USAID WMTR II program’s target regions (Kakheti, Adjara, Shida Kartli and Tbilisi) to exchange experiences and discuss challenges in the waste management sector; • To foster dialogue among young people, representatives from the governmental and non-governmental sectors, and to encourage partnerships between them. • To develop a specific action plan regarding waste management problems (e.g., establishing a waste separation system, awareness raising campaigns, etc.)
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? The USAID WMTR II program is targeting regional school students from the 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12th grades who are interested in environmental and waste management issues.
INVITED GUESTS TO THE SUMMIT: • Representatives from the appropriate governmental structures; Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, Environment and Natural Resources Committee and local self-government representatives; • Non-governmental representatives who work in the waste management sector in Georgia. The Youth Summit will take place
for three days from 15-17 December. 1-2 days will be dedicated to a workshop concerning the subjects to be discussed in the summit, and on 17 December, the Summit will take place in Tbilisi. The candidates for the Summit
will be selected based on the applications received. For more information about the summit and registration information, please view the following link. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/ e/1FAIpQLSe_Jpahpv20EAFw-
15pLcsqBybSr6BnfoW4bkpHSz1pb6QB15Q/viewform The application deadline is December 2, 2018. The selected candidates will be contacted by December 7, 2018.
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Georgian Teachers to See Long Awaited Salary Raise Info Box A day in the life of a teacher varies greatly depending on the subject they teach, and the age level of the students. If teaching kindergarten or elementary students, a teacher may cover a broad range of subjects. A high school teacher will typically specialize in a particular subject, such as math, English, music, or science. A teacher needs to be an effective communicator and motivator, as it doesn’t matter how much knowledge a teacher has if that knowledge cannot be shared and conveyed to the students in an interesting and understandable way.
BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE
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he Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of Georgia, Mikheil Batiashvili has finished preparing the reform plan for the Georgian education system and will now start work to make the changes.
Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Irina Abuladze met with Tbilisi public school teachers and told them about the Ministry’s ideas for general education, future plans, and new initiatives to happen within the reforms. The goal is to develop schools and raise motivation for both pupils and teachers. Abuladze and the teachers talked about the changes introduced in the
Photo by Tyler Tjomsland
National Curriculum, the new school concept and the salary increase policy. Abuladze explained that many innovations are being introduced to increase the quality of education. Schools will become more interesting and modern and work to develop critical and freethinking skills in students. The reform introduces a new curriculum, new textbooks and other educational resources, a new teaching model, new approaches to les-
son planning, and how to best use technologies in schools. One of the most important issues that Abuladze talked about was salary increases for teachers, school directors and administration staff. From 2019-2021, salaries will begin to increase. By 2022, the average teacher’s salary will be 1500 GEL, and higher-level teachers will received an average of 2000 GEL. Funds from the 2019 state budget have already been allocated.
Food for Thought
What’s That? Preparing – getting ready Goal – aim, target Raise – increase, make more National Curriculum – the education plan for schools Free-thinking – when you can talk about your ideas without someone stopping you Increases – up, more (money) Allocated – prepared, made ready
What personal qualities make a good teacher? (Think of the classes you like best and think why you like them.) What are the best and most difficult things about being a teacher? Write your ideas below, then ask your teacher for more ideas. GOOD THINGS HARD THINGS
Would YOU like to be a teacher? Why (not)?
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FINANCIAL LITERACY Presented by
Welcome to the Bank
D
o you think banks are only for saving money in? Well, it’s not quite true: saving money is only one thing banks do with money, as they also use money to give loans and invest. The money saved by a client might be used by the bank to give a loan to another person or business, or they might invest that money in different activities. The bank makes a profit from the percentage rate of loans paid by customers and from revenues received from investments. So, our money is constantly “active” in the bank to create more benefits. To take any action in the bank, we need to have an account. 6 ESY STEPS TO OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT 1. Talk with your parents about why you need to have a bank account.
2. Visit different banks, find out what they offer and compare them with each other to choose what best benefits you. 3. Understand what is needed for the account. Fill in the paperwork and read the contract carefully. Ask questions to be sure you understand. 4. Put money on the account. 5. After opening the account, the bank will give you a personal bank card. Sign the back of the card, activate it in the ATM and change the PIN-code. Destroy the paper where pin-code was written. Remember, do not share the PIN-code of the card with anyone. 6. Control the money on your account. If you see an unusual transaction, tell the bank about it immediately. Do not share the details of your bank account or card with anyone!
Info Box Bank – the financial institute which keeps customers’ money in the safest way, gives loans, does money transfers, converts currencies, and performs other financial services. You can do various operations through your current account: transfer, withdraw and convert money. An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) – the bank’s cash-machine where you can withdraw money from an account using your PIN number. ATMs work 24/7. Currency Exchange – The process of converting one form of currency (eg. Lari) into another currency (eg. US Dollar). You’ll need this service if you are going on holiday abroad. Consumer loan – a loan that is taken for personal use, often to buy something for your house, for travel or to cover current expenses, like repairing a broken phone. The bank asks why we need the loan and checks our personal information, including our income, whether we have other loans, if we pay back other loans on time, etc. Percentage Rate (percent) – if you take a loan from the bank, the percentage rate is the amount you must pay to the bank in exchange for them giving you the loan. You have to pay back the money borrowed and the percent in a certain period of time. If we are opening a deposit in the bank, then the percentage rate is the what the bank pays for you keeping money on your account. Deposit account – a bank account where we keep money for a certain period of time. The amount kept on a deposit account is called a deposit.
What’s That? Saving – keeping money for future Loans – [see info box] Profit – Profit is calculated as total revenue less total expenses Percentage rate – [see info box] Revenues – profits [see above] Benefits – something which is good for you Fill in – complete, write down Destroy – cut up, make it impossible to read Abroad – to another country Income – salary, how much money we earn
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Food for Thought Why should you visit different banks and compare various offers before opening a bank account? Why should you discuss opening a bank account with your parents? Why should you keep your PIN-code a secret, change it from time-to-time and not share it with others? Why should you control money transfers on your account?
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Le Marché de Noël de Strasbourg
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n 1992, la ville de Strasbourg s’est autoproclamée «la capitale de Noël». En 2014 et en 2015, son marché de Noël a été élu le plus beau d’Europe. Le marché de Noël de Strasbourg est le plus vieux de France. Créé au Moyen-Âge, en 1570, il se tenait pendant les trois jours précédant le 24 décembre sur la place de la cathédrale. On y trouvait tout ce qui était nécessaire à la préparation de Noël: du pain d’épice et des friandises, de la mercerie, du tissu... De nos jours, le marché de Noël
est ouvert durant tout l’Avent et attire plus de deux millions de touristes. Cette année, il fêtera sa 448ème édition et aura lieu du 23 novembre au 30 décembre. Ce qui fait son charme et son succès, c’est qu’il a su conserver son authenticité et préserver l’esprit de Noël. On y trouve traditionnellement 300 chalets en bois où les artisans vendent des décorations de Noël, du vin chaud, des bredeles (biscuits alsaciens), du pain d’épice... Les visiteurs pourront également admirer le traditionnel sapin de Noël de 30 mètres de
Matière à réflexion Existe-t-il un marché de Noël dans votre ville ? Si oui, qu’y trouve -t-on ? Si non, aimeriez-vous qu’il y en ait un ? Pourquoi ?
hauteur, la grande crèche de Noël Institut français de Géorgie : ifg.ge de 1907 ainsi que la crèche vivante, les illuminations de Noël, des cho- Marché de Noël de Strasbourg : https://noel.strasbourg.eu/ rales...
Mots-clés Noël: fête chrétienne fêtée le 25 décembre (შობა) le Moyen-Âge: période européenne du 5ème au 15ème siècle (შუა საუკუნეები) une cathédrale: une grande église (კათედრალი) du pain d’épice: un gâteau au miel et aux épices (თაფლაკვერი) une friandise: un bonbon (ტკბილეული: კანფეტი) l’Avent: les 4 semaines avant Noël (შობის წინა ოთხი კვირა) un chalet: une petit maison en bois (ხის კოტეჯი) un sapin: un type d’arbres (ნაძვი) une crèche de Noël: représentation de la naissance de Jésus (შობის სცენა) une chorale: un groupe de chanteurs (გუნდი)
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Tbilisi Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019 Featured in Vogue Italia What’s That? Covered – written about, talked about by media Piece – (journalism language) story Praised – said nice things about Make a name for itself – become famous Promising – will potential to be big/famous Emerging – new, arriving on the scene Reflected – showed, demonstrated Sources – finds, buys Fabrics – material, cloth Deserves – should have A household name – familiar, well-known
BY SHIRIN MAHDAVI
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bilisi Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019 was covered internationally. The fashion event was recently featured in Vogue Italia in a piece by Lorenzo Sabatini. Designers from this season’s Tbilisi Fashion Week were chosen for Vogue’s Talent selection. In his piece, Sabatini praised the new institution of Tbilisi Fashion Week. He noted the Tbilisi and Georgian fashion industry’s plan to make a name for itself in new and global markets and not only with neighboring countries. And this season’s fashion week in particular
saw some promising emerging talents for Vogue’s Talent selection as well as for the Tbilisi fashion industry’s hopes of fame. The first talent selected was Korsava. The 25-year-old designer’s collection for Tbilisi Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019 was titled ‘Post-Apocalypse.’ As the theme of Fashion Week was “We Must Take Care of Nature,” Korsava’s pieces reflected environmental concerns with looks “characterized by a minimalist approach in acid and cherry red tones, mesh tank tops and trench coats.” Lasha Devdariani was also chosen by Vogue’s Talent selection. Devdariani sources his fabrics from West Asia and Georgia to promote more environmentally-friendly produc-
Info Box Tbilisi Fashion Week started in 2009 but is already gaining the international attention it wanted and deserves. Not only is Tbilisi Fashion Week and the Georgian Fashion industry becoming a household name in the fashion world, but with environmentally and socially-conscious designers put in the spotlight at Tbilisi Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2019, the institution is also shining a light on problems in society.
tion practices. His bohemian-style caftans are among his most popular pieces and are the reason he was chosen by Vogue. TSITE was also among the designers selected by Vogue’s Talent selection. “Bringing attention to national tradition, in this case translated into contemporary apparel featuring comfy and loose-fitted proportions, is the main aim of the Tamara Tsiteladze, a brand that caught the eye courtesy of the skilled draping, inserts and asymmetrical dresses of the SS 19 collection, ‘Midnight Floating’.”
Food for Thought Think of three problems society has (for example, pollution, poverty…) and design some clothes to show this problem (example, a dress made out of plastic bags). Use the space below.
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@entrepreneur.ge
Gamarjoba! I’m the Editor-inChief of the Georgian edition of Entrepreneur magazine and I’m here to share the top Entrepreneurial news with you:
Dachi Dzebisashvili and George Jincharadze wanted to grow plants easily at home in winter. As there was a lack of the right equipment on the local market, they decided to create a startup which would solve the problem. After hard work and overcoming various technical challenges, they had ‘Grow Box’. The startup has since appeared on the pages of Russian Inc. and nowadays, GrowGrow covers products like lamps, fertilizers, flowerpots, etc. Grow boxes and inventory are created based on individual orders.
Ecobox is a new startup offering customers a monthly subscription for different categories such as beauty, perfume, coffee, sweets, beard grooming, alcohol, etc. Customers can choose their category on www.ecobox.ge, give their personal preferences and then expect to receive a “box” with tailored products on a monthly basis. According to the founders, the main advantage of Eco Box is to save subscribers money and to surprise them with unexpected products upon opening the box every month. Oto Kavtaradze and Rezo Kakabadze (23) have three startups. Lookup.ge, established three years ago offers GPS monitoring systems. New products, Easy Trade and Gmoji, are ready to launch. Easy Trade is a mobile app and web platform that helps suppliers and clients stay in touch 24/7, send/ receive orders or make contracts electronically. Gmoji is a mobile app that enables customers to send gifts represented by emojis. The recipients can collect their gifts from Gmoji partner stores. The costs of the product/service are covered by the emoji sender, making it easier than ever to send a gift!
Students of the Tbilisi Culinary Academy, Tamar Kiknadze, Tina Vashakidze and Ia Dzagania, came up with the idea to create pepper and onion confiture. Amochame uses local and accessible ingredients to create jams that balance tastes, meaning you can eat it with almost everything, both sweet and savory dishes. The product is available only at specific shops, but the start-uppers are planning to expand sales via large chain stores and later to send it for export too. Mindori (English: meadow) is the name of a Georgian startup founded by young entrepreneurs Marita Geneashvili and Leko Shatirishvili. Their mission is to provide ultimate comfort for chefs and cooks through accessible indoor greenhouses matched to interior décor where cooks can grow their own vegetables and greens. According to the founders, healthy food and green technologies are in our best interests and that’s why they’re ready to offer a market innovative product which is now a prototype but will soon become the real thing with the help of American mentors.
Follow the Entrepreneur Georgia Instagram page to get the latest updates from Georgian Entrepreneurs. For doing business with Georgian Entrepreneurs, write us on business@entrepreneur.ge
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EUMM Marks 10 Years in Georgia Image source: EUMM
Info Box The EUMM has conducted over 65,000 patrols on the ground. More than 1,700 EU nationals from all 28 EU Member States have served in the Mission over the years. The Mission focuses on enhancing stability, monitoring the situation and rights of the people most affected by the conflict, building confidence and reporting factually.
BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE
T
he European Union Monitoring Mission (EUMM) first came to Georgia on October 1, 2008. For the last decade, the EUMM has patrolled Georgia’s administrative boundary lines (ABL) day and night, providing information and serving as a communication link between the Georgian government and defacto governments in Abkhazia and ‘South Ossetia’ to ensure there is no return to hostilities and to help make safe and normal living conditions for the people living near the ABL. The Mission also helps EU leaders to shape the EU policy on Georgia and the region. “Ten years after the war in Georgia, the EU continues to work for peace and a long-term solution to the conflict,” said Vincenzo Cop-
pola, Commander of EU Civilian Missions worldwide. “Our Monitoring Mission has an important role as the only international monitor on the ground. It works for all the women, men and children who are still suffering the consequences of hostilities from 10 years ago. EUMM Georgia shows the EU’s continued long-term commitment to regional stability and to a peaceful, prosperous future for all citizens, in full respect of Georgia’s territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.” Current Head of the Monitoring Mission, Erik Høeg, said, “The EUMM is on the ground 24/7, 365 days a year – ready to monitor, report and de-escalate at any time. It is thanks to the work of more than 200 monitors from 26 Member States, and experienced Georgian colleagues, that we can carry out our work so well in the interests of peace”.
In its 10 years in Georgia, the EUMM has recieved 8,000 calls on its Hotline, helping it to collect and share information and de-escalate tensions. The EUMM also moderates the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) meet-
ings, which allow participants from both sides of the ABLs to talk about security and other issues. The European Union decided to extend the Mission’s time in Georgia by two more years, until December 2020.
What’s That? Decade – 10 years Patrolled – guarded, protected, watched Ensure – guarantee, confirm Hostilities – conflict On the ground – in the place Consequences – results Commitment – promise to work for Stability – balance, safety Prosperous – successful, happy De-escalate – reduce, make smaller (a dangerous situation) Carry out – do, work Moderates – controls Extend – make longer
Food for Thought What do you think it is like for school pupils and families living near the ABL? How can their lives be made better?
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Dancing ‘The Other Way’
Info Box The Candoco Dance Company was founded in 1991 by Celeste Dandeker-Arnold and Adam Benjamin. The Company developed out of integrated workshops at London’s Aspire Center for Spinal Injury and quickly grew into the first company of its kind in the UK – a professional dance company focused on the integration of disabled and nondisabled artists that dances and trains others all around the world. Through training programs and theater shows, they can show you what dance can be, and who can dance.
BY MARIAM MERABISHVILI
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he British Council is working with the Tbilisi International Theater festival and with its support, the Tbilisi Inclusive Dance Company presented its first performance ‘The Other way’ in September at the Marjanishvili Theater. The troupe
vili, and Ellie Douglas, the Candoco Dance Company Learning Producer who was invited especially. Zazanashvili and several wheelchair users were actively involved in the British Council program “Unlimited opportunities: Taking the right step” aiming to raise awareness about disabled people. The British Council’s “Culture & Development: Unlimited in Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine” program works to
develop good practice and partnerships to (a) create a network for disabled dancers and producers and (b) start a series of public platforms (including digital) for disability arts around Georgia. They want to bring disabled people to the center of the planning and policy-making processes and challenge laws and social attitudes by giving audiences theater shows with both disabled and ablebodied actors.
consists of persons of limited capabilities as well as able-bodied dancers. The main idea of the performance is to express experiences, and how the actors have overcome difficulties, through dance and motion. It mixes improvisation, dancing and live music. After the performance, the audience could talk with the dancers, the choreographer Keti Zazanash-
What’s That? Limited capabilities – disabled, not able to move or think as most people do Overcome – survived, worked through a problem or illness Awareness – what you know/understand Challenge – fight and try to change negative to positive Policy – rules, laws
Food for Thought What is the attitude to disabled people in Georgia? How is dance good for you (watching and doing!)?
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Image source: toyproject.net
New Project Helps Pensioners Build Computer Skills BY SAMANTHA GUTHRIE
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iberty Bank and the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia have launched a new program to help older Georgians learn computer skills, including using the internet. The goal is to help retirees become more active, connected, and integrated into modern life. The program offers free courses to older people on computer topics,
Info Box
the internet, e-mail, social networks and smartphones. 338 people have registered for the courses so far. Classes will be taught in small groups in the Digital Hall Launched – started of the National Parliamentary Retirees – pensioners, older people who don’t work Library, which opened in 2016. Integrated – part of Giorgi Kekelidze, General Director of the National Parliamentary Free – no need to pay Library of Georgia, said the project Cost-effective – good value for money is “very important and cost-effecImplemented – started tive” and “a bridge between generations through technologies.” eration between state and private modern world and its digital tech“The initiative met with a great nologies. We have implemented institutions,” said Kekelidze. response, the result of good coopThe Library’s Deputy Director many social projects this year, but Levan Tkhelidze said, “Our goal is the educational part of this project to help the older generation and is a kind of experiment that we hope promote their integration with the will succeed so we can build on it.”
The elderly sometimes feel scared or lonely. We can help them to feel better not only by integrating modern technology into their lives but by spending time with them. Here are some ideas to help you help improve the lives of the elderly in YOUR community: • Storytelling. Swapping stories is a great activity and can help build a connection. • Learning skills. Many older adults have skills or talents that would be interesting for children. Perhaps you could learn to weave, crochet, fish, bake, or even take care of animals. And vice-versa- you can teach them something, too. • Reading to each other. • Cooking together. • Talking about ethnic heritage. Share ethnic customs, or talk about special stories passed down about culture. • Planting seeds or gardening. • Discussing hobbies and sharing examples.
What’s That?
Food for Thought Can your grandparents use a computer or the internet? Why is it good for older people to learn computer skills?
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Georgian Food Celebrated in Germany Info Box Nikusha Javakhishvili has lived in Hamburg, Germany for three years. He has four Georgian friends there and about a year ago they decided to create a group for those who are interested in the Georgian culture. Javakhishvili is a specialist of International Relations and has no prior experience with gastronomy, but he, along with his four friends, has some experience cooking. After the success of the festival, they want to open their own Georgian restaurant in Hamburg.
Image source: GeorgianJournal
BY AMY JONES
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eorgian restaurants can be found in cities from London to New York, and Vicenza to Kyiv. A restaurant in Singapore even had a Georgian menu this summer, which was a great success. On October 28, a Georgian food festival took place in Hamburg, Germany. Three times more guests than expected came to taste classic Georgian dishes such as Khinkali, Adjarian Khachapuri, and Churchkhela. A mix of nationalities, including Germans and Georgians, enjoyed five hours of feasting. However, some guests left disappointed as the festival was not prepared for so many visitors. The festival shows how Georgian culture is becoming popular around the world. “Our conception is to represent Georgia in Europe as a European country. That happens quite rarely in Europe,” says Nikusha Javakhishvili, the lead organizer. “Five friends
got together (four Georgians and an Australian) and we started planning.” When they saw how much interest there was from people, they started cooking. They prepared everything by themselves, expecting around 400 guests: 700 Khinkali, 50 Adjarian Khachapuri, 100 Churchkhela; Mtsvadi was prepared from 30 kilos of pork, and other Georgian dishes were also available. But even this amount of food was not enough – three times more guests arrived and lined up in the street outside the rented venue waiting for their turn to try the Georgian cuisine. 30% of the guests were Georgians living in Germany. Javakhishvili says there was only enough food for half the guests and many were disappointed about it. “The festival started at 4pm and lasted only five hours, because people in the neighborhood got annoyed about the people waiting in the street and asked us to finish earlier. We think we will need a larger space in the future,” says Javakhishvili. He says he didn’t have a chance to leave kitchen because of the large number of guests, but he was told
What’s That? Took place – happened Feasting – eating Disappointed – unhappy, unsatisfied Rarely – not often, seldom By themselves – alone, without help Rented – paid to use for a short time Venue – place for an event Annoyed – angry Excited – happy about, pleased
that the guests were excited by the dishes and were saying they would attend the festival again. The five friends have already
decided to do it again next year. They also want to open a new restaurant where only Georgian dishes are served.
Food for Thought Why do you think Georgian food is getting so popular outside the country? What do you like and not like about Georgian food and Georgian feasting traditions?
14
EDUCATION
GEORGIA TODAY
NOVEMBER 2018
The 12 Best Things about Working in a Hotel What’s That?
Source: cucihotel.com
G
eorgia’s tourism sector is booming, and more hotels and guest houses are opening every year around the country, not least the big international brands. There are so many opportunities, great locations, job varieties and chances for promotion that it’s no surprise more than 15 million people work in the hospitality and leisure industry (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). Check out what’s can be so great about joining a hotel team! 1. A World of Opportunity: No matter where you work, the skills you learn can be used in almost any country or culture… a great way to explore the world! 2. Lots of Variety: Hotel work is not a normal 9-5 job. You have flexibility and variety in your day not only in the work you do, but also the hours you work. 3. You Make People Happy: Every day you’re making someone’s day better – it’s all about the guests and making their stay special.
4. Great Perks: In hospitality, you can share the fun the guests are having. Meet famous people, eat fabulous food and enjoy some of the resort’s facilities. 5. You Can Try Out New Jobs: There are so many options in the hospitality industry that you never need to get “stuck” in one job as you develop yourself personally and professionally. And hotels have it all: Marketing, Accounting, IT, Sales, Customer Service, Human Resources, etc.: all “hands-on” experience you can get without leaving the industry. 6. It Offers Diversity: You work with people from all over the world from different cultures and backgrounds. 7. Work with Friendly People: People who work in hospitality are usually outgoing and friendly. You meet fun and lively co-workers and the atmosphere is upbeat. 8. Don’t Need Experience to Start: While it is a good idea to get some specific training or attend a hospitality program, you can start with very little experience and work your way up.
Food for Thought
Skills – special ways of doing things Flexibility – you can work different hours Variety – different things to do / see Facilities – swimming pool, gym, restaurant… Stuck – when you can’t move Outgoing – like to have fun and talk Upbeat – positive Recession Proof – not affected when the country’s economy is bad Affordable – a good price for you
Source: Robert Pratta/Reuters
9. It’s Recession Proof: Even in slower economic times, people still need food and somewhere to sleep, so you should always have a job! 10. Discounts and Connections: Being in the industry allows you to make connections all around the world and get good prices to make travel easier and more affordable. 11. You’re an Ambassador: Think
Would you like to work in a hotel? Why (not)? Which job would you choose? Work in pairs/groups and make some role-plays. Imagine one of you is a hotel worker and the other is a guest. Imagine: Delivering room service, Making a complaint, Checking a guest in or out, or any other hotel situation. Act for the class. Source: Thinkstock
about it. You’re the person representing your community (or country) to guests from other areas and countries. The hotel business is at the heart of tourism. 12. It’s Dynamic: Everything is changing all the time: guest preferences, your competition, new events or festivals in the area, technology, exchange rates, etc.
EDUCATION
GEORGIA TODAY NOVEMBER 2018
15
A Business in Focus: The Moxy Hotel the Tbilisi Moxy is on that list.”
THE MARRIOTT TEAM
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY KATIE RUTH DAVIES
M
r. John Licence, Vice President Premium and Select Brands at Marriott International in Europe, trained as a chef in a London hotel. He loved cooking but decided to take a hotel management degree. 25 years ago, he was a General Manager in London and was asked to move to a regional role. He agreed and has been traveling around the world working for Marriott ever since. He’s been with the company 34 years and on his visit to Tbilisi last month, GEORGIA TODAY met him to find out about the new Tbilisi Moxy hotel.
MOXY Moxy was developed six years ago and launched three years ago. At the time, Marriott in Europe did not have an economy brand and the competitors’ hotels were all very similar. “We wanted something different; something that young travelers would like,” Licence says. “We wanted a hotel that had a great design and atmosphere, where people could hang out and socialize. Moxy bedrooms are a little smaller than in our luxury hotels. Of course,
they have great beds, showers; everything you need, but we designed our public areas for young travelers who like to be in a social environment. We call our guests “fun-hunters” and we offer different zoneschill back, a play zone, an eating zone. Guests come down from their rooms with a laptop, eat, drink and enjoy what’s going on around them.” There will be 26 Moxys by the end of the year in Europe, and 50 more will open by the end of 2020. Moxy is Marriott’s fastest growing brand in Europe, not only in capital cities but also in secondary cities and airport locations. We asked Licence how the Tbilisi Moxy had come about. “GMT Group, our partner in Tbilisi, wanted to develop another hotel with us. They had seen the Moxy brand in Europe and wanted it for Georgia. The Tbilisi Moxy has a great location by the river and there’s a lot going on in the streets around it. The design follows the Moxy concept with something Georgian, particularly in the color, the red. In the room there’s a very dramatic picture of a Georgian dancer and we weren’t so sure about it at first, but once it was up, we saw how cool it looks. I love the red Tbilisi bricks and the metal entrance. There are always hotels that we tell future owners ‘if you want to see a good example of an active Moxy…’ now
PUBLISHER & GM
George Sharashidze COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT
Commercial Director: Iva Merabishvili Marketing Manager: Anuka Poladishvili
GEORGIA TODAY
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT:
Editor-In-Chief: Katie Ruth Davies
Journalists: Tony Hanmer, Zaza Jgarkava, Maka Bibilashvili, Dimitri Dolaberidze, Vazha Tavberidze, Nugzar B. Ruhadze, Thea Morrison, Samantha Guthrie, Amy Jones, Ana Dumbadze Photographer: Irakli Dolidze
“At Moxy, we don’t call the managers ‘General Managers’: they are “Captains” and the staff are “crews.” Crew members need to be flexible. We hire for character. You can train skills but not character. Especially in a Moxy, you need that energy and ‘can do’ attitude. You should be able to check someone in, then serve them a cocktail!” He tells us that you can be successful in the hotel business by being flexible. “If you’re ready to be flexible and to travel, the world is yours,” he says, and he should know- he has lived in the US and Germany and traveled worldwide for work. “I’ve been with Marriot 34 years and never had to change company because there is always a new opportunity. Bill Marriott [founder] is still the Chairman: even though he’s in his mid-80s, he’s still in the office every day. He says: ‘Take care of the associates and they’ll take care of the customers,’ which is so true-
there’s a great culture in Marriott which I don’t see in other companies.” He tells us about hotels he has visited in Georgia whose staff started out at Marriott. “They still have a passion for Marriott,” he says. “Our culture and training opportunities make us stand out. In Tbilisi, more hotels means more options for people to move around [in their hospitality careers]. We offer lots of training through online programs and tutorials: leadership training, presentation skills, discipline training. All managers have to do training every year. The company is very positive about asking people what they want to do and helping them do it, if they have the motivation.”
What’s That? Developed – planned, created Launched – started, introduced to the public Economy brand – cheaper hotel Competitors – rivals, people who work in the same business Hang out – relax in a place and be with friends Luxury – expensive, fantastic quality Going on – happening Sure – confident about, happy with Crews – the people who work on a ship Flexible – able to adapt to changes, do different jobs at different times Hire – employ, take a person to work in a company Skills – talent, what you can do well Stand out – different from others, special Website Manager/Editor: Katie Ruth Davies Layout: Misha Mchedlishvili Webmaster: Sergey Gevenov Circulation Managers: David Kerdikashvili, David Djandjgava
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