Georgia in Europe and the Wider World: The Inaugural Georgia-Oxford Forum

                                      

Introducing the inaugural edition of the annual Georgia-Oxford Forum organised by the Embassy of Georgia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in collaboration with the Oxford University School of Global and Area Studies (OSGA) and Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia.

The annual Forum will serve as a dynamic platform, enhancing partnership initiatives between Georgia and the UK, and will call on expertise from across the academic disciplines, including but not limited to political science, international relations, history, literature, archaeology, cinematography, cultural studies, sociology, anthropology, economics and business.

The inaugural Forum’s special theme, reflecting recent developments and leading-edge research, will focus on “Georgia in Europe and the wider world”.
 

This event is open to the public. For registration please click here.
 

Co-organisers and partners:

Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, University of Oxford

Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford

Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia

Oxford Nizami Ganjavi Centre

Georgian Oxford Student Society
 

Provisional Programme

10.30 - 11.00               Welcome and Introduction

  • Sophie Katsarava MBE, Ambassador of Georgia to the UK - welcome remarks

  • Prof. Christopher Gerry, Head of Oxford School of Global and Area Studies - introduction

11.00 – 12:15              Panel I: Georgia as the UK’s Strategic Partner

2022 marks the 30th Anniversary of Georgia-UK Diplomatic Relations, the 9th year of Wardrop Strategic Dialogue, and the continuing journey for Georgia towards EU and NATO membership. The UK’s continued support towards the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia, at a time of global uncertainty - marked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, issues around Black Sea Security, and protracted regional conflicts linked with other security and economic challenges – holds growing importance. Against this background, the opening panel will discuss strategic and regional security concerns and the key role that the UK and wider international community can play in contributing to the stability and security of the region.

The panel will be chaired by Professor Paul Chaisty (Oxford School of Global and Area Studies) and will feature prospective invitees: Sophie Katsarava MBE, Ambassador of Georgia to the UK; George Khelashvili, MP, Parliament of Georgia  and Victor Kipiani, Chairman of Geocase.

*Final line-up to be confirmed.

12.15 - 13.30              LUNCH BREAK

13.30 – 13.45             OFFICIAL SIGNING OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN OSGA AND SHOTA RUSTAVELI NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION OF GEORGIA

The Oxford Georgian Student Society – Featuring a video highlighting cooperation.

13.45 - 15.00               Panel II: Education, Information and the Georgia-Oxford Partnership

Investing in education is fundamental for building free and inclusive societies. In a modern globalised world education bridges gaps, opens opportunities, serves as a weapon against disinformation, facilitates evidence-based decision-making and promotes global citizenship. The Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, with its multidisciplinary, cross-regional approach serves as the meeting point at Oxford, bringing together Georgian expertise from across the University while facilitating and promoting work in the social sciences and humanities. This panel takes stock of these diverse contributions and asks how we can further leverage academic activity and research to contribute to the promotion of Georgian Studies and Georgia in the UK and beyond. 

Professor Christopher Gerry, Head of Oxford School of Global and Area Studies witll chair the panel. The list of the speakers will include: Prof. Dan Healey, Professor, Oxford School of Global and Area Studies; Megi Kartsivadze, DPhil, Oxford School of Global and Area Studies; Nunu Mitskevichi, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Georgia; Tamar Tsuleiskiri, Director of the Information Centre on NATO and EU in Georgia.

*Final line-up to be confirmed.

15.00 - 15.30               COFFEE/TEA BREAK

15.30 - 16.30               Panel III: Keynote lecture – “Georgia in Europe and beyond”

The Professor Neil McFarlane, Department of Politics and International Relations, will talk on "The role of the EU and NATO in promoting Georgia's integration with Europe".

The panel will be chaired by Professor Roy Allison, Oxford School of Global and Area Studies.

16:30 - 17:30              Panel IV: The Power of Soft Diplomacy

This panel highlights the opportunities of soft diplomacy by bringing to life – for an international audience - Georgia’s rich and ancient culture, unique language and alphabet, music and customs. Oxford plays a particular role here with its rich collection of historical documents and manuscripts at the Bodleian Library illustrating diplomatic ties and strong and enduring friendship between Georgia and the UK.                                           

Professor Edmund Herzig, Oxford University Nizami Ganjavi Centre will chair the panel and the speakers list will include Lia Chokoshvili, Georgian Programme Language Instructor (OSGA); Tony Anderson author of the book ‘Bread And Ashes: A Walk Through the Mountains of Georgia’ and Rachel King, Curator Curator: European Renaissance and Waddesdon Bequest Department of Britain, Europe and Prehistory at the British Museum. The panel will also feature a video interview with Gillian Evison, Head of Oriental Section at the Bodleian Libraries, Oxford

*Final line-up to be confirmed

17.30 - 19.00               Reception with Georgian wine (Hilda Besse Building) 

Including a talk from Carla Capalbo, an award-winning food and wine writer/commentator and author of the book – ‘Tasting Georgia’.